Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD/BRISBANE: A few days after Australia announced to buy nuclear-powered submarines from the United States, the latter has approved the sale of Tomahawk missiles to the former.
According to a statement issued by the State Department, the US has formally approved the sale of 220 long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Australia to arm its navy ships.
According to a statement issued by the Australian Defence Security Cooperation Agency, the contract will cost around 1.3 billion Australian dollars ($895 million), including their maintenance and logistical support.
The Australian Defence Security Cooperation Agency statement said that the proposed purchase of missiles will improve Australia’s capability to interoperate with US maritime forces and other allied forces and its ability to contribute to missions of mutual interest, according to CNN.
The acquisition of Tomahawk missiles is part of “the AUKUS deal” clinched between the US, Australia and the United Kingdom. The three-way pact aims to share technology and resources by the three countries to build a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines by 2030.
Under the AUKUS deal, the US has agreed to sell at least three Virginia-class submarines to Australia while Australia and the UK intend to build their own fleets of new nuclear-powered submarines to boost their capabilities in the Indo-Pacific, where China has been building its military assets.
Australian Defence Minister Pat Conroy told national broadcaster ABC Friday that the Tomahawks missiles could be available for use for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) before the planned delivery of the first of three US-made submarines in 2033.
He said that the new deal was part of the government’s agenda to give the ADF the best possible capability, to give it greater ability to provide long-range strikes and keep any potential adversary at bay. He said this was how they promote peace and stability in the face of potential adversaries.
