Australia will develop hypersonic cruise missiles in collaboration with US

Canberra/Washington: – Australia has indicated to strengthen its military cooperation with the United States, against the background of the increasing Chinese domination activities and threats. Australia will be developing Hypersonic Cruise Missiles, in collaboration with the United States and the Australian Defence Minister asserted that this project has a game-changing capability. The US Department of defence also published an independent statement regarding the issue. The US Department of defence said that this is a critical stage in the military cooperation between the two countries.

A few months ago, both the countries concurred on developing cooperation in missile defence, electronic and undersea warfare and space, along with the Hypersonic missile, during the Two-Plus Two meeting held between the two countries. This announcement of a joint project for the development of a hypersonic missile, coming within a few months of the meeting, becomes significant. The project has been named ‘Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment’. Sources informed that the initial tests related to the project could be started in the next year.

Since the last few years, China has implemented aggressive military policies to increase its domination. China is making massive deployments in the Indo-Pacific sector, along with Asia. In an effort to counter the influence of the United States and its allies, stress is on expediting the deployment of destroyers, submarines, fighter jets and advanced missiles along with aircrafts carriers. China is trying intrusions in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific along with the South China Sea.

These Chinese activities are increasing concerns for Australia. Along with the military deployment and intrusion, the increasing Chinese interference in the internal Australian politics also has been exposed. The Australian government has openly challenged this Chinese bullying, taking a firm stand. In the last one year, the Australian government has published independent reports, regarding the Indo-Pacific sector and the Defence sector, with a clear mention of Chinese threats. At the same time, the reports assert that Australia will counter these Chinese threats by increasing the military might in collaboration with allies and increasing the defence expenditure. The development of the Hypersonic Cruise Missile is a part of the same efforts. Sources informed that the objective has been set to develop this missile in the next five years and induct it in the Australian defence forces. This missile will be deployed on the F/A-18F super Hornet fighter jet, currently operational in the Australian air force. It is claimed that this missile could be deployed even on the surveillance aircraft P-8 Poseidon and EA-8 Growler Electronic Attack Aircraft.

Australian Defence Minister Linda Reynolds expressed confidence ‘Investments in the systems that will assist in an appropriate retaliation against the activities against Australia, will be beneficial for the sector as well as to the partner and allied countries. This joint project with the United States will change the equations of the Australian defence preparedness.’ The United States, Russia and China have succeeded in developing Hypersonic missiles and India and Japan are working on the development.