Australian leaders prepare to tap into U.S missile tech

Australia’s defence minister is pushing for greater access to America’s missile technology in what will be a key test of the two nations’ alliance

It comes as leaders from both the US and Australia prepare to meet in Washington next week for wide-ranging discussions.

The Defence Minister says the two countries need to “pool their know-how and resources” in the quest to develop new long-range weapons and offensive cyber tools.

It follows Australia pushing America in recent times to deliver on the promise to integrate its allies into the National Technology and Industrial Base.

The NITB was expanded to include both Britain and Australia in 20-17, but has so far failed to provide a ­“defence free-trade area”.

Australia’s defence minister is confident that the high-level talks next week with the Biden administration in Washington will see the nations’ alliance “level-up”.