Australia will equip its warships with some of the world’s most advanced air- and missile-defense systems after signing an agreement worth 7 billion Australian dollars ($4.7 billion) with the United States to acquire SM-2 IIIC and SM-6 missiles, similar to those being procured by Japan.
These long-range weapons will be progressively rolled out across the Royal Australian Navy’s three Hobart-class destroyers, each of which can carry 48 of such missiles, and six future Hunter-class frigates, which hold 32 missiles.
The purchase comes as Australia prepares to combat threats faster and further away, and alongside regional partners concerned over China’s rapid military build-up.
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