Australia plans major overhaul of defenses

Australia needs to spend more money on defense, make its own munitions and develop the ability to strike longer-range targets regional security, according to a government-commissioned review released Monday.

Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy said the army’s maximum range of weapons would be extended from 40 kilometers to over 300 km and, with the acquisition of precision strike missiles, over 500 km.

The Defense Strategic Review supports the so-called AUKUS partnership among Australia, United States and Britain. AUKUS announced in March an agreement to create an Australian fleet of eight submarines powered by U.S. nuclear technology.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government commissioned the review to assess whether Australia had the necessary defense capability, posture and preparedness to defend itself in the current strategic environment.