Kilgor
07-07-2004, 07:42 PM
The United States and Australia have signed a pact to develop a controversial missile defence shield, known as 'son of star wars', as they expressed concerns about proliferation of ballistic missiles capable of carrying weapons of mass destruction.
Defence Minister Robert Hill and US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld signed the memorandum of understanding at the State Department for joint missile defence system development and testing.
"Both the US and Australia share deep concerns about the proliferation of ballistic missiles capable of carrying weapons of mass destruction - nuclear, chemical and biological," a statement issued after the signing said.
The 25-year agreement will include Australia as a participating country in the US missile defence program as well as development and testing of advanced radar technology capable of providing improved early detection of ballistic missiles after launch.
Senator Hill also signed an agreement for joint training bases in Australia.
"That will mean us enhancing a number of our ranges, in particular the Shoalwater Bay training area in Queensland, the Delamare Air range in the Northern Territory and also the new Bradshaw range in the Northern Territory," he said.
The Government's commitment comes amid strengthening political opposition to the program, which Senator Hill defended in remarks to reporters at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
"From an Australian perspective, we're looking well into the future," he said.
"We don't have any threat against us from ballistic missiles at this time, but the day might come when we have."
Critics have charged that the US program is the next version of former US president Ronald Reagan's failed "star wars" missile defence shield, but Senator Hill cautioned against understating the program's possibilities.
"The new technologies have meant that there is the potential to protect against incoming ballistic missiles, and in the past that hasn't been possible. So why not take advantage of that?" he said.
The Labor Party has said it fears the program might prompt an arms race by China and India.
--AFP
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200407/s1149054.htm
Defence Minister Robert Hill and US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld signed the memorandum of understanding at the State Department for joint missile defence system development and testing.
"Both the US and Australia share deep concerns about the proliferation of ballistic missiles capable of carrying weapons of mass destruction - nuclear, chemical and biological," a statement issued after the signing said.
The 25-year agreement will include Australia as a participating country in the US missile defence program as well as development and testing of advanced radar technology capable of providing improved early detection of ballistic missiles after launch.
Senator Hill also signed an agreement for joint training bases in Australia.
"That will mean us enhancing a number of our ranges, in particular the Shoalwater Bay training area in Queensland, the Delamare Air range in the Northern Territory and also the new Bradshaw range in the Northern Territory," he said.
The Government's commitment comes amid strengthening political opposition to the program, which Senator Hill defended in remarks to reporters at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
"From an Australian perspective, we're looking well into the future," he said.
"We don't have any threat against us from ballistic missiles at this time, but the day might come when we have."
Critics have charged that the US program is the next version of former US president Ronald Reagan's failed "star wars" missile defence shield, but Senator Hill cautioned against understating the program's possibilities.
"The new technologies have meant that there is the potential to protect against incoming ballistic missiles, and in the past that hasn't been possible. So why not take advantage of that?" he said.
The Labor Party has said it fears the program might prompt an arms race by China and India.
--AFP
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200407/s1149054.htm