Australia to manufacture long-range missiles from next year

Tess Ikonomou
AAP
Long-range missiles will be built in Australia year as part of a $37.4 m deal with Lockheed Martin. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)
Long-range missiles will be built in Australia year as part of a $37.4 m deal with Lockheed Martin. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP

Australia will start manufacturing long-range missiles from next year under a $37.4 million deal with Lockheed Martin Australia.

Acting Defence Minister Pat Conroy announced the contract to help the nation set up large scale domestic missile manufacturing.

“This important first step towards the establishment of domestic guided weapons manufacturing in Australia will complement the acquisition of long-range precision strike capabilities and strengthen the ADF’s ability to protect Australia and its interests,” he said on Tuesday.

Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.

Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.

Email Us
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.

The government will also acquire Precision Strike Missiles, which can hit targets out to 500 kilometres.

These are part of a $4.1 billion investment towards long-range strike missiles and guided weapons enterprise in response to the defence strategic review, released last year.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles described the contract as demonstration Labor was delivering key outcomes from the major defence review.

“These are important milestones which will see Australia gain the technology we need to establish a sovereign industry, providing opportunities for a highly-skilled workforce,” he said.

Latest Edition

The Nightly cover for 20-12-2024

Latest Edition

Edition Edition 20 December 202420 December 2024

Birth rates plummet as record levels of migrants join those who won’t leave: Inside our population plight.