Kevin Rudd's push for missile supremacy (Aussies plan cruise missiles)

The Australian ^ | May 02, 2009 | Patrick Walters

[sukhoi-30mki]

Kevin Rudd's push for missile supremacy

Patrick Walters, National security editor

| May 02, 2009

Article from: The Australian

THE navy will acquire a formidable arsenal of long-range cruise missiles for its new submarines, destroyers and frigates, able to strike at targets thousands of kilometres from Australia's shores.

The new-generation submarines and major surface warships will be fitted with land-attack cruise missiles with ranges of up to 2500km as Australia becomes the first regional defence force to have the potent weapons system.

The cruise missiles will give the Government "options to conduct long-range, precision-strike operations against hardened, defended and difficult-to-access targets, while minimising the exposure of ADF platforms and personnel to attack by enemy forces", the defence white paper says.

Reflecting the Government's consciousness that the planned maritime defence build-up could provoke criticism from regional neighbours, the white paper asserts that acquisition of land-attack cruise missiles is "fully consistent with Australian treaty obligations and customary international law".

The core of the Government's thinking about the far more potent next-generation defence force is that the risk of a major conventional war in the Asia-Pacific region cannot be ruled out.

"It would be premature to judge that war among states, including the major powers, has been eliminated as a feature of the international system," the white paper says.

"Shows of force by rising powers are likely to become more common as their military capabilities expand. Growing economic interdependence will not preclude inter-state conflicts or tensions short of war, especially over resources or political differences."

[sukhoi-30mki]

The RAN's proposed Howard class destroyers

[Yo-Yo]

This to make up for the loss of long range strike capability with the retirement of the RAAF’s F-111C/Gs.

[GeronL]

They have a ways to go before they can be a superpower but they might be able to become a regional power