Global Security Newswire

Spurred in part by North Korea's July missile tests, Australia is looking into the possibility of a sea-based missile defense system, the Australian reported last week (see GSN, Apr. 5).

The Australian national Cabinet will soon consider a feasibility study regarding a system that could be based on new warships, Defense Minister Brendan Nelson said last week, according to the Australian.

The Cabinet would consider the missile defense platform when it approves the purchase of three destroyers and landing ships, the paper reported.

"Any Australian who thinks that our country has no interest in antiballistic missile defense capability just needs to think back to July and watching that Taepodong 2 missile on the North Korean launch pad," Nelson said.  "They went close to getting it right."

On July 4 and July 5, North Korea launched seven missile tests (see GSN, July 5).  The long-range Taepodong 2 had sparked concerns that it could reach the western coast of the United States, but the test missile crashed into the Sea of Japan less than 40 seconds after it launched.

Following the test failure of the long-range missile, Pyongyang launched a series of shorter- and medium-range missiles.

Estimating the range of a successful Taepodong 2, Nelson said a two-stage missile could travel nearly 1,900 miles, and a three-stage version flight could deliver a payload more than 7,400 miles away.

"In its fully mature state that stage three could get to Australian territory," he said.  "With the building of the air-warfare destroyers and equipping them with the Aegis combat system, it is a very live option for Australia to have mobile antiballistic missile capability."

The Standard Missile 3 system produced by U.S. company Raytheon, is considered a probable choice if the Australian government approves the plan (see GSN, Sept. 12).  Australian ships are already equipped with the company's shorter-range Standard Missile 2 antiaircraft missile (The Australian, Nov. 22).