US wants to use Australia as testing field for long-range missiles
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The Pentagon is studying the prospect of turning its military ally into testing ground for US-made missiles and precision weapons.
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The launch of a US-made Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile in 2020 (AFP)
Australia might become a testing ground for American long-range missiles, including hypersonic ones, as part of its commitments to AUKUS, US Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth said on Wednesday.
Wormuth said Australia's contribution to the military alliance "doesn't always have to be dollars".
"Australia obviously has a tremendous amount of territory where that testing is a little bit more doable -- so I think that's a unique thing, as an example, that the Australians bring to the table," Wormuth told AFP.
"One thing Australia has in spades is long distances and relatively unpopulated land," she added.
"A challenge for us in the United States when it comes to hypersonics or even some of our things like the precision strike missile -- which is not a hypersonic weapon but has very long ranges in some of its increments -- for us to find open spaces in the United States where we can actually test these weapons, it's a challenge."
The Pentagon official said she expected the two smaller partners to join in and "have skin in this game — and they do."
Read more: Blinken says New Zealand welcome to 'engage' in anti-China AUKUS
The US, UK, and Australia formed their AUKUS alliance, ignoring China's concerns on the matter. The alliance was based on enhancing Australia's nuclear capabilities through advanced technology and nuclear submarines in order to increase the alliance's strength in the South Pacific as China grows more influential in its region.
Ever since the declaration, the United States has been strongly pushing to hyper-militarize Australia and turn it into a fighting front against China.
Last week, the US docked a nuclear-powered submarine in Australia, making it the first of such vessels to ever visit the country since the establishment of AUKUS.
As part of the alliance, the US and London will help Australia enhance its nuclear capabilities by sharing advanced technologies. The alliance will also see the three nations sharing their know-how on AI, cyber, and quantum technologies, in addition to underwater and long-range missile capabilities.
Read more: Australia to deploy nuclear-powered submarines far from mainland
China has constantly warned that AUKUS risked setting off an arms race and accused the three countries of setting back nuclear nonproliferation efforts, destabilizing the region, and threatening its security.
