As China strengthens military, Asia-Pacific governments go defence shopping

From Australia to Taiwan, the region may be sliding into an accelerating arms race amid China’s military growth and North Korea’s test launches, analysts say

Australia is set to build eight nuclear-powered submarines with the US and UK; South Korea is striving to develop solid-fuel rocket engines; while Japan has spent millions on long-range air-launched weapons

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South Korea’s Hyunmoo II ballistic missile is fired during an exercise on September 4, 2017. File photo: South Korea Defence Ministry via AP

Published: 1:30pm, 29 Sep 2021Updated: 1:41pm, 29 Sep 2021

Analysts warn Asia may be sliding into an accelerating arms race as governments react to China’s military growth and tensions around North Korea’s weapons programmes linger.

Here is a list of defence systems several Asian governments are looking to acquire.

Australia

The country said on September 16 it would build at least eight nuclear-powered submarines under an Indo-Pacific security partnership with the United States and Britain.

Australia will also enhance its long-range strike capability with Tomahawk cruise missiles deployed on naval destroyers and air-to-surface missiles for its F/A-18 Hornet and F-35A Lightning II jets that can hit targets at a range of 900km (559 miles).

Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM) will be deployed on its F/A-18F Super Hornet jets, while precision strike guided missiles capable of destroying targets from over 400km are planned for its land forces.

It will also collaborate with the US to develop hypersonic missiles under the trilateral security deal, dubbed Aukus.