Foreign Correspondence

[Amaunet]

Australia to sign up to US missile shield in July

Might have something to do with China attempting to move into the neighborhood.
#msg-3378078

CANBERRA: Australia will formally commit to the United States’ controversial missile defence programme, known as “Son of Star Wars”, at a meeting next month, Defence Minister Robert Hill said on Saturday. Hill said a memorandum of understanding to be signed at the next Australia-US ministerial consultations would commit Australia to cooperating with its close ally, the United States, on research into missile defence over the next 25 years. He gave no details of how much Australia would spend on the programme but said one of the first projects would include investigating the potential of its ‘over the horizon’ radar technology in missile defence. Other potential areas of participation were greater cooperation in ballistic early missile warning through ship-based and ground-based sensors. “This is a long-term commitment to securing our future and strengthening the alliance,” Hill told reporters. The United States is Australia’s most important military partner, with the alliance dating back 53 years.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_20-6-2004_pg4_11