Japan to test hypersonic missiles in Australia

Japan will conduct tests of hypersonic missiles and other projectiles on Australian soil, the two countries’ defense ministers said yesterday as they deepened military cooperation, including with a codeveloped laser system.

Australian Minister for Defence Richard Marles said alongside his Japanese counterpart, Shinjiro Koizumi, in Canberra that the deal would see a “better and enhanced arrangement between Australia and Japan for Japan’s use of our missile ranges over the course of the next decade.”

“We have spoken previously about Australia being able to provide strategic depth to Japan across a range of areas, but one of them is the use of our ranges,” Marles said.

Australian Minister for Defence Richard Marles, left, shakes hands with Japanese Minister of Defense Shinjiro Koizumi in Canberra yesterday.

Photo: AFP

Koizumi welcomed the measure.

“If the Japan Self-Defense Forces are able to conduct test launches of standoff missiles, such as hypersonic missiles, in Australia, it would be a groundbreaking development,” he said. “We will therefore accelerate discussions toward realizing this objective.”

Australia and Japan have increased defense cooperation as they watch a rising China, mindful also of US demands that its regional allies spend more on their militaries.

The two countries agreed last year to one of Japan’s biggest defense export deals since World War II, in which Australia would pay A$10 billion (US$7.11 billion) over the next 10 years to acquire a fleet of stealth frigates.

Marles and Koizumi yesterday said they would cooperate on a new defense cooperation project called Boobook, named for an Australian owl that sees in the dark, featuring a codeveloped laser system to detect potential threats.

The project includes “enhanced laser capability that can be put on land combat platforms as well as littoral platforms,” Marles said.