Chilling reality of countering China's aggressive rise: Australia to buy 30 artillery vehicles in biggest-ever deal with an Asian ally after multibillion-dollar deals for new helicopters and nuclear-powered submarines
- The Government on Monday signed a $1billion defence deal with South Korea
- It will buy 30 self-propelled howitzers and 15 ammunition resupply vehicles
- Last week Peter Dutton announced Australia will buy 40 helicopters from US
- In September Scott Morrison revealed he will acquire eight nuclear submarines
Australia will add 30 artillery vehicles to its defence force in a beef-up that also includes 40 new helicopters and at least eight nuclear powered submarines.
The Government on Monday signed a $1billion defence deal with a South Korean company to buy 30 self-propelled howitzers, 15 armoured ammunition resupply vehicles, and weapon locating radars that help find enemy artillery.
The landmark deal comes after Defence Minister Peter Dutton announced last week Australia would scrap its fleet of 47 European-designed Taipan defence helicopters and replace them with 40 Black Hawks and Seahawks from the US at a cost of $7billion.
Defence Minister Peter Dutton announced last week Australia would scrap its fleet of 47 European-designed Taipan defence helicopters and replace them with 40 Black Hawks (pictured) and Seahawks from the US at a cost of $7 billion
The government argues the American aircraft are better value and more reliable.
The Taipans have been used in Australia since 2007 and were due to be withdrawn from service in 2037. But they have been labelled unreliable, beset by groundings and availability issues.
In September Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Australia would acquire at least eight nuclear-powered submarines using technology from the US and UK under the new AUKUS alliance.
The move meant scrapping a $90billion deal with French company Naval Group for diesel-electric submarines, sparking fury from President Emmanuel Macron.
Last week Mr Dutton said Australia was taking the steps in the face of a 'growing threat within the Indo-Pacific' without mentioning China by name.
'I want the Australian Defence Force to have at its disposal the most effective equipment and the most highly trained people to deal with that reality,' he said on Friday.
Mr Dutton has regularly warned about China's growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
Since president Xi Jinping came to power, and particularly in recent months, Beijing has pushed increasingly assertive foreign policy.
China has reinforced territorial claims in the South China Sea, killed Indian troops in the Himalayas, and frequently flown fighter jets over Taiwan.
This graphic shows the stark difference between the militaries of China and Australia
Australia will acquire eight nuclear-powered submarines to replace its ageing Collins-class subs (pictured)
Self-propelled howitzers are large field guns that can be driven into position to provide battlefield support.
They will be built by Korean company Hanwha Defence at a new facility in Greater Geelong, Victoria which will be constructed next year. The contract will provide up to 300 jobs in Australia.
Mr Dutton said the howitzers would provide Australia within significant capability.
'The prime ability of the new vehicles is to fire and move quickly, avoiding enemy counter-attack. This project will mean a significant increase in the level of firepower and security for Australian artillery capability,' he said.
Australia will add 30 artillery vehicles to its defence force in a beef-up. They will be similar to Hanwha Defence's K9 howitzer (pictured) but slightly modified
'We are committed to keeping our region safe, while protecting our interests in a rapidly changing global environment.
'The self-propelled howitzer capability, including a strengthened industrial base, is one of several projects that will modernise the Australian Army, ensuring it continues to maintain a capability advantage now, and into the future.
'This new capability will give our soldiers the best possible chance of completing their missions and returning home safe to their families.'
The deal is the largest defence contract struck between Australia and an Asian nation.
It was signed on Monday in front of Prime Minister Scott Morrison and President Moon Jae-in at Parliament House.
The Prime Minister welcomed South Korean President Moon Jae-in to Parliament House on Monday
Mr Morrison said the South-Korea-Australia relationship continues to grow, underpinned by trade, shared values, common regional strategic interests and a commitment to an open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
'Our comprehensive strategic partnership with the Republic of Korea is underpinned by our joint commitment to defence and security cooperation,' Mr Morrison said.
Mr Moon is the first international leader to visit Australia since borders reopened.
Share this article
Australia has comprehensive strategic partnerships, or their equivalents, already with ASEAN, China, Fiji, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea.
South Korea is Australia's fourth-largest trading partner and fourth-largest export market under a free trade agreement that has been in force since December 2014.
The two nations also signed deals on critical minerals and low emissions technology.
President Moon is pushing for a region-wide partnership to boost the production and distribution of hydrogen, which by 2050 is expected to account for 13 to 18 per cent of world energy.
