Australia Is Building Its First Ground-based Missile Defense Shield
1- 30.10.2026, 14:27
It is intended to protect military bases from China's long-range weapons.
Australia is considering the possibility of establishing its first ground-based missile defense system to protect military bases and personnel from Chinese long-range weapons. This was reported on October 30 by The Australian citing the country’s Ministry of Defense’s tender documents.
According to the publication, the defense ministry has approached Washington for information on the cost and delivery schedules of several systems. Among them is the U.S. Marine Corps’ MRIC medium-range interceptor system, which uses American versions of the launcher and missiles from Israel’s “Iron Dome,” the Patriot air defense system, and a land-based adaptation of the Aegis naval combat system.
Proposals are also expected from Norway’s Kongsberg and South Korea’s Hanwha. Israel’s Rafael, which manufactures the “Iron Dome” and the “David’s Sling” system, may also participate directly in the competition.
According to the tender documentation, the future defense system is intended to protect military bases and deployed troops, rather than the Australian population as a whole.
The Ministry of Defense plans to select a proven, off-the-shelf system by the end of 2027 and conduct live-fire exercises during the Talisman Sabre exercises in 2029. Initial missile defense capabilities are expected to be achieved in the early 2030s, with the system reaching full operational readiness by the middle of the decade.
Former Deputy Secretary of the Australian Department of Defense Peter Jennings criticized these timelines, calling them “a world of defense fantasies.”
“Under no circumstances can such a plan be considered reasonable,” he said.
The Australian notes that the MRICs were developed primarily to counter cruise missiles and drones, whereas the Australian Defense Department aims to intercept ballistic missiles during their terminal phase of flight. Each MRIC launcher holds 20 missiles with a range of about 70 km.
According to the newspaper, the Australian Army likely prefers the Patriot system, which has a track record of intercepting ballistic missiles, specifically Russian “Kinzhal” missiles in Ukraine. At the same time, a single interceptor missile for this system costs approximately $4 million, and U.S. stockpiles have dwindled due to the war with Iran.
Up to 10 billion Australian dollars have been allocated for the LAND 6504 medium-range ground-based air defense project. However, as of April, only 210 million had been approved for spending, the publication notes.
The potential procurement of a system based on Israeli technology could also spark political controversy. The Greens and the left wing of the Labor Party have called on the government Anthony Albanese to sever ties with Israel’s defense industry due to the war in Gaza.
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