Japan, Australia to co-operate on long-range weapons

Japan and Australia are looking to co-operate on the Tomahawk cruise missile, seen here launched from USS Chafee (DDG 90) in December 2020. (NAVAIR)

Japan and Australia have agreed to expand collaboration on long-range strike weapons. The effort will be centred on developing interoperability and common capability amid growing concerns in both countries about China's regional assertiveness.

The agreement was announced following the countries' foreign and defence ministerial consultation on 5 September in Victoria, Australia. “Japan and Australia concurred on further co-operation between counter-strike capabilities that leverage Japan's stand-off defence capability and Australia's long-range strike capability,” Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Speaking in a press conference, Japan's Defense Minister Minoru Kihara also said enhanced bilateral co-operation will centre on naval vessels – including a potential deal involving Japan's Mogami-class frigate – and research on underwater robotic and autonomous systems.

Tomahawk

Kihara said Japan-Australia collaboration on long-range weapons is aligned with both countries' requirements – outlined in their respective newly revised defence doctrines – for improved stand-off capabilities to counter increasing threats in the Indo-Pacific. “Our basic policies are in the same direction,” Kihara said in comments published by the Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD).

He added that one area of co-operation will focus on Raytheon's Tomahawk cruise missiles, which both Australia and Japan are committed to procuring for their surface combatants. Both countries have signed in the past year Foreign Military Sales deals with the US to acquire about 200 units each of the missile.

Australia wants to equip its Hobart-class air warfare destroyers and future Hunter-class frigates with the missile, while Japan plans to integrate the Tomahawk onto its fleets of Aegis-equipped destroyers.