Australia to buy 220 Tomahawk missiles from US
The US State Department approved a potential sale of Tomahawk missile systems worth $895m to Australia, further tightening security ties between the two nations, Bloomberg reports
Australia’s purchase of 220 Tomahawk missiles will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States. The Defence Security Co-operation Agency said in a statement, “It is vital to the US national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defence capability. Australia will use the missiles for domestic defence and deterrence of regional threats.”
Tomahawks are subsonic cruise missiles that are launched from ships and submarines and provide a long-range and deep strike. The sale of the Tomahawk weapon systems was originally discussed under former PM Scott Morrison, who said they would be installed on Australian Hobart-class destroyers.