- Japan will conduct tests of hypersonic missiles and other projectiles on Australian soil, the two countries’ defense ministers announced as they deepened military cooperation.
- Australian Minister for Defence Richard Marles stated that the deal would enhance arrangements for Japan’s use of missile ranges in Australia over the next decade.
- Shinjiro Koizumi, Japan's defense minister, welcomed the measure, stating that conducting test launches of standoff missiles, such as hypersonic missiles, in Australia would be a groundbreaking development.
- Australia and Japan have co-developed a high-energy laser system called Project Boobook, marking a significant step in their defence industrial partnership.
- The laser system, Project Boobook, is a collaborative effort involving Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group and Japan’s Mitsubishi Electric.
- MEA will invest 70 million Australian dollars (approximately $49.8 million USD) to establish new facilities in Australia for large-scale manufacturing.
- The new facility in Rydalmere, Sydney, will support future manufacturing opportunities and strengthen access to advanced Mitsubishi Electric defence technologies for the Australian Defence Force.
Japan will conduct tests of hypersonic missiles in Australia as part of a significant military cooperation agreement announced by defense ministers Richard Marles and Shinjiro Koizumi. This collaboration includes a co-developed laser system, known as Project Boobook, marking the first joint development between the two nations' defense industries.12345
Marles emphasized that this deal will create a “better and enhanced arrangement” for Japan’s use of Australian missile ranges over the next decade. Koizumi described the ability for the Japan Self-Defense Forces to conduct test launches of hypersonic missiles in Australia as a “groundbreaking development.”
The laser system, Project Boobook, is a collaborative effort involving Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group and Mitsubishi Electric. MEA will invest 70 million Australian dollars ($49.8 million USD) to establish new facilities in Sydney, supporting large-scale manufacturing and advanced defense technologies for the Australian Defence Force.6
Conroy noted that this partnership is a “practical example” of the growing defense industrial collaboration between Australia and Japan, which will foster opportunities for advanced manufacturing and technology transfer. Marles also stated that discussions will accelerate to provide Japan with enhanced access to missile ranges for testing various missiles, including hypersonic weapons.
“Australia's Minister for Defence Richard Marles stated that the agreement will allow Japan's Self-Defense Forces to conduct test launches of standoff missiles, marking a groundbreaking development. Additionally, Mitsubishi Electric Australia will invest 70 million Australian dollars ($49.8 million USD) to establish new facilities for large-scale manufacturing in Australia.”
Taipei Times
