US missiles give Australia ‘tenfold’ strike increase amid defence spending boost

Australia’s government described Himars as a ‘game changer’, as it teased a multibillion-dollar defence spending boost in Tuesday’s budget

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Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles (centre) and Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy (right) announce the delivery of Australia’s first Himars launchers on Monday. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:47am, 25 Mar 2025Updated: 10:33am, 25 Mar 2025

Australia’s army has received its first delivery of a “game changer” mobile long-range US rocket system, as the country brings forward defence spending to boost its military capability, including guided weapons manufacture, an Aukus submarine base and a frigate programme.

Australia and other security allies of the United States are under pressure from US President Donald Trump to increase defence spending.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said that Tuesday’s federal budget would contain an increase of A$10.6 billion (US$6.6 billion) for defence over the next four years, part of a previously announced A$50 billion boost over a decade, which he said was the most significant increase in defence spending since the end of the Second World War.

“Part of the A$10.6 billion sees bringing forward an additional billion dollars and that is because of the need to accelerate Australia’s capability and development,” Marles said at the Avalon Air Show in Victoria on Monday.

“This will see us have ready HMAS Stirling, the Henderson Defence Precinct for the establishment of the Submarine Rotational Force West. This will see us move forward at a faster pace in establishing the Guided Weapons and Explosives Enterprise.”

A Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the type that will rotate through Australia’s biggest naval base under Aukus. Photo: US Navy

Up to four US and one British-commanded nuclear-powered submarines will rotate through Australia’s biggest naval base, HMAS Stirling in Western Australia, from 2027 under Aukus.