Blast off: Australia splashes $1bn on new missiles for Navy, plans to build guided weapons onshore

Australia will inject $1bn to acquire cutting-edge missiles for the navy, as it plans to eventually manufacture the weapons onshore.

HMAS Ballarat conducts a five-inch gun firing serial, as part of the Anzac class frigate's sea qualifications trials. Picture: LSIS Leo Baumgartner

Australia will inject $1bn into upgrading the navy’s weapons arsenal with cutting-edge guided missiles to bolster the nation’s defences.

It’s part of a wider plan to ultimately create a manufacturing industry which will be capable of building missiles in Australia.

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds will announce funding for the early development phase today.

Australia plans to acquire long-range anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles with an extended range and new light-weight torpedoes.

Asked whether the Government planned to build missiles onshore, Ms Reynolds said the Federal Government was committed to growing Australia’s local manufacturing and munitions capability, as part of a $270bn plan outlined for the Defence Department last year.

“This includes by exploring the potential for a new sovereign guided weapons and ­explosive ordnance production capability to mitigate supply risks, especially for those ­munitions with long lead-times,” she said.

The new anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles will be able to travel further than 370km, or 1500km for maritime land strike missiles.

HMAS Ballarat conducts an Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile firing at sea, as part of the Anzac class frigate's sea qualification trials. Picture: Royal Australian Navy, LSIS Leo Baumgartner

The $1bn investment is part of a wider $24bn project for maritime guided weapons for the navy, which will be rolled out during the next two decades.

“These new capabilities will provide a strong, credible ­deterrent that will ensure ­stability and security in the region,” Ms Reynolds said.

“The planned acquisitions, when aligned with the ongoing state-of-the-art combat system development and national shipbuilding programs, represent an investment of up to $24bn, which will build a lethal and highly responsive navy for decades to come.”

As part of the SEA 1300 project, Defence will continue to invest in the Evolved SEASPARROW missile program.

Defence will also invest in surface-to-air missiles, including the Standard Missile 2 Block IIIC and the Standard Missile 6 Block 1.

The location for a possible local missile manufacturing sector in Australia has yet to be determined, but South Australia is already set to build the Future Submarines and Future Frigates.

Australia’s 2020 Defence strategy highlighted the need to develop an independent, sovereign industry able to supply the military in a potential conflict, and “especially” with munitions.