Australia researching missile defence

SM-3 Launch
Australia is moving closer to acquiring a ballistic missile defence capability with Defence Minister Brendan Nelson commissioning research on how such a system could be installed on new warships.

The research will be considered by Cabinet next year when it gives approval for the acquisition of three advanced air warfare destroyers and new large landing ships.

Dr Nelson warned that missile defence could no longer be taken for granted following North Korean missile and nuclear weapon tests earlier this year.

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

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