Australia is building up its military strength and preparedness to deter conflict, but the chief of the air force admits China has the edge over the West with the development of hypersonic missiles and their devastating potential.

In an interview with The Australian Financial Review ahead of next week’s Avalon airshow, Air Marshal Robert Chipman also revealed the RAAF was doing its own research into high-altitude balloons after the US shot down a Chinese spy balloon which had flown over sensitive military sites in America.