Australia Enhances Missile Defense Amid China Concerns

In response to China's recent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test in the South Pacific, Australia plans to enhance its missile defense and long-range strike capabilities, with an investment of approximately AU$18 billion. Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy highlighted that this development comes amid rising strategic competition between the U.S. and China, marking a new 'missile age' in the Indo-Pacific. Australia aims to deploy SM-6 missiles on its navy destroyer fleet and cooperate with the U.S., Japan, and South Korea for regional stability. Concurrently, China is ramping up production of its DF-26 ballistic missile launchers, increasing its military capabilities in the region and raising concerns among neighboring countries. Japan is also responding to these tensions by developing a new anti-ship missile, which is projected to have a range of 2,500 kilometers, enhancing its defense strategy against China's ambitions. This escalation in missile capabilities across the Indo-Pacific signals a broader shift in military dynamics and security concerns in the region.