Australia to join US missile defense program

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, December 04, 2003

Australia to join US missile defense program

Australian Defense Minister Robert Hill announced in a statement that Australia is working with the United States to determine the most appropriate forms of Australian participation that "will not only be in our strategic defense interests but also provide maximum opportunities for Australian industry."

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Australia announced Thursday that it will participate in the US missile defense program.

Defense Minister Robert Hill announced in a statement that Australia is working with the United States to determine the most appropriate forms of Australian participation that "will not only be in our strategic defense interests but also provide maximum opportunities for Australian industry."

He argued that the missile defense program is a non-nuclear defensive system that does not threaten other countries.

The forms of Australia's participation under discussion with Washington include:

-- Expanded cooperation to help detect missiles at the point of launch and therefore get early warning of an impending attack.

-- Acquisition of, or other cooperation in the fields of, ship-based and ground-based sensors.

-- Science and technology research development, testing and evaluation.

"The government is concerned that Australia might one day be threatened by long range missiles with mass destruction effect and believes that investment in defensive measures is important," Hill said.

"Developing this capability will contribute to global, regional and Australian security by offering protection from missile attack and dissuading nations from acquiring or developing such weapons," he said.

On opportunities for Australian industry, he said, "Our decision last year to invest in the systems development and demonstration phase of the Joint Strike Fighter program is already paying dividends, with nine contracts awarded to Australian companies to date. There is the potential for similar benefits from our involvement in the missile defense program."

Questions?Comments? Click here

Japan, US Agree More Cooperation in Missile Defense

Two Japanese diplomats killed in Iraq identified ( 3 Messages)

Developing corporate culture is key to global strategy ( 3 Messages)

16 percent of Chinese wives beaten by husband: survey ( 4 Messages)

China ceases diplomatic relations with Kiribati ( 6 Messages)

Hillary Clinton arrives in Baghdad hot on heels of Bush ( 5 Messages)