Ben Morgan’s Pacific Update: Australia announces $ 4.7 billion missile purchase

Australia is purchasing American Standard Missile 2 and Standard Missile 6 to enhance air defense capabilities, reflecting deepening defense commitment and regional security concerns. The size and scale of the procurement indicate preparations for potential high-intensity conflicts in the region, as well as long-term low-intensity operations like protecting shipping in the Red Sea. China’s threatening military exercises near Taiwan, part of a wider hybrid war campaign, aim to test Taiwan’s defenses and normalize military activity, with Taiwan developing plans to withstand a potential blockade. New Zealand is investigating options to replace the lost HMNZS Manawanui, focusing on bringing one of its offshore patrol vessels to operational capacity after the salvage operation in Samoa.

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