Australia's Defense Strategy Shifts Focus to Missiles Amid Rising China Tensions.

Australia will shift its focus from land-based armor to longer-range strike capability with munitions built in the country, according to a major defense review. The country will spend AUD 19 billion to acquire precision strike missiles with ranges exceeding 500 km to counter the growing threat from China. The review also recommends strengthening Australia's northern defenses and fast-tracking plans to acquire the land-based High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). The report warns that China's military build-up is the largest and most ambitious of any country since the end of World War II.