Japan to test hypersonic missiles in Australia

Japan will test hypersonic missiles and other projectiles in Australia under a new defence arrangement, the two countries' defence ministers said on August 18 as they expanded military cooperation.

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles, speaking in Canberra alongside Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi, said the arrangement would improve Japan's use of Australian missile ranges over the next decade.

Koizumi said test launches of standoff missiles, including hypersonic missiles, in Australia would be a “groundbreaking development” for Japan's Self-Defense Forces. He said the countries would speed up talks toward that objective.

Marles and Koizumi also said Australia and Japan would cooperate on Project Boobook, a defence project featuring a co-developed laser system to detect potential threats. Marles said the laser capability could be used on land combat and littoral platforms.

The countries have increased defence cooperation while watching China's military rise and amid US calls for regional allies to spend more on their militaries. Last year, Australia agreed to pay Aus$10 billion, or $6 billion, over 10 years to acquire stealth frigates from Japan.