The Australian government announced on Thursday a project worth 350-450 million dollars (245-315 million US dollars) to equip air force aircraft with long range missiles capable of destroying land and sea targets.

The missiles, which will equip F/A-18 Hornet fighter and AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft, will be chosen from three long range air-to-surface weapons manufactured by companies from the United States and Europe.

"The new weapon will significantly enhance the ADF's (Australian Defense Force) air strike capability, providing a long-range, accurate and lethal attack against a range of targets including fixed and re-locatable targets on land and sea," Australian Defense Minister Robert Hill said in a statement.

"Combined with the new air-to-air missiles and upgraded precision-guided bombs, Australia's fighter jets will be the region's most lethal capacity for air combat and strike operations," Hill said.

The long range of these new missiles will reduce the risk to both aircraft and crew by decreasing their exposure in a high threat environment, he said.

The new weapons would be introduced into service between 2007 and 2009, according to Hill.

Source: Xinhua