Japan and Australia are set to enhance their military collaboration, with Japan planning to utilize Australian territory for testing hypersonic and other standoff missiles. The announcement came from Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi during a meeting in Canberra. Australia is extending its missile testing range access to Japan over the next ten years, marking a significant step in their defense relationship.
Koizumi highlighted the strategic importance of allowing Japan’s Self-Defense Forces to conduct hypersonic missile tests in Australia, which signals a deepening of defense ties between the two nations. Both countries are poised to accelerate negotiations to finalize the testing framework. This cooperation reflects a shared concern over China’s expanding military influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
In addition to missile testing, Japan and Australia have unveiled Project Boobook, a joint initiative focused on developing an advanced laser system. This technology aims to enhance threat detection capabilities and could be implemented on both land-based platforms and naval vessels operating near coastlines.
The defense partnership between Japan and Australia extends beyond testing and technology development. The two countries are also collaborating on defense-industrial projects, including Australia’s plan to acquire stealth frigates worth A$10 billion, which will be designed based on Japanese models, over the forthcoming decade.