Japan will conduct hypersonic missile tests and many other types of ammunition on Australian territory, Defense Ministers of Japan and Australia announced on August 18, as part of efforts to deepen bilateral military cooperation, including a co-developed laser system, AFP reported.
Speaking in Canberra, alongside his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said the agreement would bring "a better mechanism to allow Japan to use our missile launch sites for the next decade".
We have talked about Australia being able to bring strategic depth to Japan in many areas, and one of them is the use of our missile launch sites," Mr. Marles said.
Minister Koizumi welcomed this move. "If the Japan Self-Defense Forces can conduct long-range missile test launches beyond the enemy's defense, such as hypersonic missiles, in Australia, it will be a breakthrough development," he said. "We will accelerate discussions to realize this goal.
In 2025, the two countries agreed on one of Japan's largest defense export deals since World War II, according to which Australia will spend 10 billion AUD (7.103 billion USD) in the next 10 years to buy a fleet of small stealth destroyers.
The two Ministers also announced that they will cooperate in a new defense project called Boobook - the name of an Australian owl species that can see in the dark - with a focus on a co-developed laser system to detect potential threats.
The project includes "improved laser capabilities that can be installed on ground combat platforms as well as coastal operating platforms," Mr. Marles said.
