Melbourne [Australia], August 21: Australia will spend 1.3 billion AUD (VND 19,800 billion) to buy more than 200 Tomahawk cruise missiles from the US aimed at enhancing long-range strike capabilities, Reuters reported.
In an announcement on August 21, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said that Australia will be the third country to own Tomahawk , after the US and UK. The purchase of Tomahawk cruise missiles will give Australia the ability to hit targets 1,500 kilometers away.
"We are investing in the capabilities the Self-Defense Force needs to deter dangerous adversaries far from our shores and keep Australians safe in the complex and uncertain world we live in. live," said Mr. Marles.
MrMarles said the missiles purchased from the US would be deployed on the Royal Australian Navy's Hobart-class destroyers .
Earlier in March, the US State Department approved the sale of Tomahawk to Australia, but did not disclose whether the contract had been signed or whether negotiations had ended.
According to 9News Australia, the news of the Tomahawk sale comes a few days after the US approved the possibility of selling Australia the M142 high mobility artillery missile system (HIMARS), with launchers currently having a range of up to 300 km.
Earlier this year, Australia agreed to work with the US and UK to develop a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines .
In addition to the Tomahawk, Australia will also spend about AUD 431 million to buy more than 60 advanced anti-radiation guided missiles from the US. In addition, the Canberra government plans to equip the Australian military with long-range anti-tank guided missiles. It is expected that the purchase and sale contract is worth more than 50 million AUD.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper
