Australia to boost missile capabilities as region enters new 'missile age'

This comes amid significant concerns over China's missile test in the South Pacific

Australia said it was boosting its missile defence capability amid "significant concerns" about China's test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in the South Pacific and will bolster weapons stockpiles and exports to security partners as the region enters a new "missile age".

Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said in a speech on Oct 30 that Australia was increasing its missile defence and long-range strike capability and would cooperate with security partners, the US, Japan and South Korea, to contribute to regional stability.

"Why do we need more missiles? Strategic competition between the United States and China is a primary feature of Australia's security environment," he told the National Press Club in Canberra.

China test-fired an ICBM in September that travelled more than 11,000km to land in the Pacific Ocean to Australia's north-east.

Mr Conroy said the Indo-Pacific was on the cusp of a new missile age, where missiles are also "tools of coercion".