Long-range weapons very ‘strong deterrent’ in a deteriorating region: Defence Minister

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds says Australia is concerned by China’s recent behavior, which is making the region “even more anxious.”

The defence minister and the prime minister on Wednesday announced $270 billion in defence spending over the next ten years, including a significant investment in long-range missile technology.

Minister Reynolds says the defence investment recognises the very “significant strategic deterioration” in the Asia-Pacific region.

She said the investment is “unashamedly” taking a regional focus.

“It is a region that is increasingly marked by contestation and the deterioration of the relationship between China and the US”.

With regard to the Chinese-Australian relationship, the minister said while Australia has welcomed the bilateral economic development in recent years, the government expects all nations to be “responsible regional partners”.

“To be quite frank, Australia is certainly concerned by some behaviors that we have seen from China in recent times which is making our region even more anxious.”

The minister said where diplomatic and strategic actions aren’t successful in regional relationships, “deterrence is also critically important” to ensure any threats are kept at arm’s length.

“That’s where our commitment to acquiring new long-range strike weapons comes into play, because they are a very strong deterrent”.

Image: AP

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