Canada and Australia have announced a joint initiative for missile defense research.
The agreement, revealed through a joint statement of Canadian National Defence Minister Bill Blair and Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles on Friday, focuses on countering emerging threats such as advanced cruise and hypersonic missiles.
The partnership involves Defence Research and Development Canada and Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group, which will collaborate to improve detection, monitoring, targeting and countermeasure technologies. Each country will also contribute up to $169.8 million over five years to support the initiative.
“Through this collaboration, Canada and Australia will benefit from access to expertise, experience, unique facilities and cost-effective joint research trials, which will fast-track understanding of advanced missile technologies and inform next-generation defense solutions,” the statement reads.
Last month, the Australian government announced plans to acquire Standard Missile 2 Block IIIC and Standard Missile 6 missiles worth $4.7 billion from the United States to enhance the Royal Australian Navy’s anti-ship and terminal ballistic missile defense capabilities.
Canada also recently entered a $264.6 million potential deal with U.S.-based RTX to acquire AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II+ and Block II missiles and guidance units. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the short-range missiles, deployable in F-15 and F-16 fighters for air-to-air and surface-launch missions, will enhance Ottawa’s deterrence capabilities and interoperability with allies.