Australia’s plan for long-range missiles would not deter aggressors without support from US

An unarmed Trident II D5 missile is test-launched from the Ohio-class US Navy ballistic missile submarine USS Nebraska off the coast of California. Australia has indicated it will seek to develop long-range missile strike capabilities but there are few details about what weapons systems would be adopted. Photograph: Reuters

Australia’s push to develop and deploy its own missiles lacks credibility as a means to deter conflict unless backed up by US support, a new paper warns.

The report, published by the Australian Army Research Centre, points to the Australian government’s desire to increase the country’s “self-reliance”.