Anticipating Threats, Australia Purchases 200 Tomahawk Cruise Missiles

Terrify the enemy, and anticipate the strengthening of Chinese influence. That's the reason Australia is upgrading their defense system.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Antisipasi Ancaman, Australia Borong 200 Rudal Jelajah Tomahawk

AFP/JIM WATSON

From left to right: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, US President Joe Biden, and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak held a trilateral meeting for the AUKUS Defense Alliance at the Point Loma Military Base in San Diego, California, USA on March 13, 2023.

CANBERRA, MONDAY - The Australian government poured out 1.7 billion Australian dollars to buy various types of missiles or missiles from the United States. This expenditure is part of the Australia-UK-US Defense Pact cooperation known as AUKUS to counter Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific.

The announcement of the purchase of missiles was made by Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Minister of Defense Richard Marles and Minister of Defense Industry Pat Conroy in Canberra, Monday (21/8/2023). "We learn from the experience of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Foreign assistance alone is not enough, we must have a qualified supply of weapons," said Marles, quoted by Sky News.

Read also: Minimalialism ripples in the Indo-Pacific

Of the 1.7 billion Australian dollar funds, 1.3 billion was used to purchase 200 units of Tomahawk missiles made by Raytheon. These missiles have a range of 1,500 kilometers and are one of the main weapons of the United States.

The rest is used to purchase 60 units of anti-radiation missiles (AARGM-ER) that will be operated by the Australian Air Force. These missiles have the ability to silence enemy radars. For the Army, there are Spike anti-tank missiles that can be transported by armored combat vehicles on the battlefield.

FX LAKSANA AGUNG SAPUTRA

In a photo taken from the United States Navy website on March 29, 2011, the USS Barry (DDG 52), an Arleigh Burke-class warship of the United States, can be seen firing a Tomahawk cruise missile. The firing was carried out during a joint exercise called Odyssey Dawn held in the Mediterranean Sea. On September 16, 2021, the then Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison, announced that Australia had purchased Tomahawk missiles.

In April 2023, the Australian Government issued a Defense Strategic Review (DSR) report. Its content is that Australia must have the authority and strength to intimidate enemies or other parties who intend to destabilize the Indo-Pacific. The effect of this intimidation will deter the enemies from pursuing their intentions.

Also read: New Zealand does not want to accept US persuasion about AUKUS

This enemy, in the latest view, is China. AUKUS has several reasons for doing so, including seeing the development of tensions in the Taiwan Strait, where Chinese military ships and aircraft are considered to be intruding by crossing the middle line that separates China's waters from Taiwan's.

There is also a strengthening of China's presence and influence in the Pacific Islands. Beijing financed a lot of infrastructure development there. Australia, which has been enjoying the status quo as the largest country in the Pacific, has had its position shaken.

The argument became the basis for Australia when attending the Shangri-la Defense Dialogue in Singapore represented by Richard Marles. He further explained this when visiting Indonesia after the Shangri-la event.

Also read: Australian Foreign Politics Prioritizes the Indo-Pacific

"Australia must increase its presence and be active in maintaining peace, security and stability in the Indo-Pacific. However, we cannot do it alone. We need help and indeed the UK and the US are our very longtime partners and the matter of technology exchange has been passed down for generations, "Marles said. (Kompas.id, 7 June 2023)

Domestic

Meanwhile, quoted from the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy explained that Australia must be able to produce its own missiles. The reason is that this saves costs while reducing the country's dependence on imports from other parties.

One of the companies that is preparing to give a presentation to the government is Varley Rafael Australia. If approved and passed, the company will obtain a contract to produce the AARGM-ER missile.

Read also: US Makes Australia Weapons Production Base

The Australian government strengthens AUKUS defense and cooperation by using uncertain times narratives. This term appears many times. Minister of Foreign Affairs Penny Wong always uses it whenever giving speeches or giving press statements.

KOMPAS/LARASWATI ARIADNE ANWAR

Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister of Australia, Richard Marles, visited Jakarta on Monday (5/6/2023). He met with Vice President Ma'ruf Amin and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto.

Sam Roggeveen, the Director of the Security Program at the Lowy Institute, wrote an essay on the Australian Strategic Policy Institute's (ASPI) website on August 17. He stated that by increasing the amount of weapons and placing them in various military bases, it actually makes those points in Australia vulnerable to enemy attacks.

According to him, Australia has had an advantage in their defense, which is the distance they have from everywhere. The presence of various long-range weapons in Australia has also shaken the trust of neighboring countries in Canberra. In fact, the Australian government has not been able to provide any other clear reasons for the purchase of weapons other than to intimidate their enemies. (AP)

Also read: A Power Fight in the Indo-Pacific