‘Missile age’: Australia’s $74bn plan

The Albanese government will release a 10-year plan to quickly acquire more long-range missiles and bolster Australia’s ability to independently manufacture munitions as the region slides into a “new Indo-Pacific missile age”.

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy will address the National Press Club on Wednesday to unpack the 2024 Australian Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Plan.

Mr Conroy will tell the NPC that conflicts “unfolding on the other side of the world are deeply affecting the lives of Australians and have significant implications for Australia’s international interests”.

“Over the decades, missile technology has evolved, especially through precision guidance capabilities,” he will say, according to excerpts provided to NewsWire.

“More states now wield them, and they are no longer the sole preserve of states. Analysts believe we are now on the cusp of a new Indo-Pacific missile age.”

Mr Conroy will say that “as well as acquiring more missiles, more rapidly from our partners, we need to build a new Australian guided weapons manufacturing industry”.

“The Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise – known as GWEO – is our answer to protecting Australia in the missile age,” he will say.

He will say the plan is about keeping “our country safe by deterring any conflict” rather than seeking a military confrontation.

The plan pledges up to $74bn towards GWEO, with $35bn alone going into long-range strike capabilities.

As part of expanding Australia’s defence manufacturing base, a new forging facility will be built to produce artillery shells used by Australia and its allies, including the US.

The 155mm M795 artillery ammunition offers critical close-fire capability.

The GWEO Plan’s release comes amid Western concerns of China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific and sabre rattling around Taiwan.

Beijing has been pumping money into anti-ship ballistic missiles and late last month tested an intercontinental ballistic missile, the usual delivery system for a nuclear warhead.

Mr Conroy’s speech will come a week after he unveiled a $7bn commitment to upgrade Australia’s missile defences.