Australia is set to buy 220 Tomahawk cruise missiles from the US in a deal worth more than $1 billion.
The US State Department has approved the sale of the arms to Australia, but the deal still needs to be approved by congress.
The exchange is reported to be worth more than $US 895 million ($1.3 billion).
READ MORE: Aussie Blake Johnston breaks record for world's longest surf session, plans 40-hour stint
Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed the deal was underway on Today this morning.
"We are working with the US on having more missile capability because it's a really important part of what we need to be doing with our posture, which is to have a greater ability to project," he said.
"That's at the heart of what we're doing with submarines, of course, but making sure we have longer range strike missiles is a really important capability for the country.
"It enables us to be able to reach out beyond our shores further and that's ultimately how we are able to keep Australia safe."
More to come …
Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.
Source link
