Australia hurries plans to buy long-range missiles

Australia has accelerated plans to buy long-range strike missiles years ahead of schedule. Defense Minister Peter Dutton said Tuesday the accelerated rearming of fighter jets and warships would cost 3.5 billion Australian dollars and increase Australia's deterrence to potential adversaries. Under a revised timetable, FA-18F Super Hornet fighter jets would be armed with improved U.S.-manufactured air-to-surface missiles by 2024, three years earlier than planned. The JASSM-ER missiles would enable fighters to engaged targets at a range of 900 kilometers. Australia's ANZAC Class frigates and Hobart Class destroyers would be equipped with Norwegian-made Kongsberg NSM missiles by 2024, five years ahead of schedule. The missiles would more than double the warships' strike range.