By Shao Yongling

邵永灵

The Australian government recently issued a statement confirming that it will spend 7 billion Australian dollars (approximately USD 4.65 billion) to procure "Standard" air defense missiles from the US, aiming to enhance the Australian Navy's air defense and anti-missile capabilities.

澳大利亚政府近日发表声明，确认将花费70亿澳元（约合330亿元人民币）从美国采购“标准”防空导弹，以加强澳海军的防空和反导能力。

The missiles the Australian government intends to purchase include the SM-2 Medium Range Block IIIC  and SM-6 . The former is an upgraded air defense missile based on the SM-2, while the latter, with both anti-air and anti-ship capabilities, is considered the most advanced naval air defense missile in the US arsenal.

澳大利亚政府此次要采购的导弹为“标准”-2BlockIIIC型与“标准”-6型，前者是在“标准”-2型基础上进行技术升级的防空导弹，后者则兼具防空反舰功能，被认为是美军武器库中最先进的海军防空导弹。

The pictures shows the launching of a SM-6. (Source: Global Times)资料图：正在发射中的“标准”-6型多功能导弹（来源：环球时报）

Military observer Shao Yongling said that these two types of "Standard" missiles not only enhance the Australian Navy's air defense and missile defense capabilities but also equip it with long-range strike capability. Therefore, this purchase is a milestone for the Australian Navy. Once this deal is completed, the Australian Navy's long-range strike capability will be qualitatively improved.

军事观察员邵永灵表示，这两型“标准”导弹，在提升澳大利亚海军防空反导能力的同时，使其具备了远程打击能力。所以，此次采购对澳大利亚海军来说，是一个“里程碑式”的事件。这笔交易一旦达成，将使澳大利亚海军的远程打击能力获得质的提升。

Each takes what it needs

各取所需

Regarding the export of advanced weaponry, the US has always exercised restraint, yet it has been exceptionally generous with Australia recently. Against the backdrop of the US strategy of "Great Power Competition", military ties between the US and Australia are becoming increasingly close. The US has taken the lead in establishing several "small circles", including the AUKUS alliance with the UK and Australia, and the Quad mechanism with Japan, India and Australia. The US hopes for Australia to act as the vanguard of its Indo-Pacific strategy, while Australia seeks to realize its "great power ambitions" with support from the US. The arms purchase is a transaction in which both sides gain what they need.

在对外出口先进武器装备问题上，美国向来有所保留，但是近来却对澳大利亚“分外慷慨”。在美国推行“大国竞争”战略的背景下，美澳军事联系越来越紧密。美国牵头建立了美英澳“奥库斯”联盟，美日印澳“四边机制”等多个“小圈子”。美国希望澳大利亚充当其“印太战略”的急先锋，澳大利亚想借助美国实现自己的“大国梦想”。此次军购，是一场双方各取所需的交易。

Australia aims to rely on the US to fulfill its "great power ambitions", and the US is taking advantage of this mindset. However, no matter what advanced US weapons Australia possesses, it will ultimately be drawn into the US strategic orbit.

澳大利亚想依靠美国助其实现“大国梦想”，美国正好利用澳大利亚这种心理。但是，不管澳大利亚拥有什么美式先进武器，最终都会被纳入美国的战略轨道。

Can it bring real security?

In recent years, Australia has clearly accelerated its military buildup. In its Defence Strategic Review 2023 , Australia mentioned that modern warfare has greatly weakened Australia's geographical advantages. Australia is not prepared for the era of missiles.

近年来，澳大利亚明显加快了军事力量建设的步伐和力度。澳大利亚在其去年发布的《国防战略评估报告》中提到，现代战争“极大地削弱了”澳大利亚的地理优势。面对“导弹时代”，澳大利亚却没有做好准备。

In fact, Australia, with its geographical advantages, does not face any significant security threats. The true reason behind its military expansion is the pursuit of a transformation in its national defense strategy under the pretext of security concerns.

而实际上，占据地理位置优势的澳大利亚并不面临明显的安全威胁，以安全为借口，谋求国防战略转型，是其扩充军备的真正原因。

Australia already possesses the F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters and Aegis system equipped vessels (ASEV) , and now plans to spend 7 billion Australian dollars to procure SM-2 and SM-6 missiles. If these acquisitions were merely for the purpose of serving Australia's national security and defense strategy, it is clear that they far exceed the country's actual needs. Australia aims to actively participate in Asia-Pacific affairs by aligning with the Indo-Pacific strategy of the US, thereby highlighting its status and image as a major power. However, whether this holds positive significance for Australia is a matter that warrants a significant question mark. As an Asia-Pacific country, friendly cooperation and exchanges between Australia and regional countries are the real foundation of its national security.

另一方面，澳大利亚已经拥有F-35A隐形战斗机、“宙斯盾”战舰，现在又要斥资70亿澳元采购“标准”-2、“标准”-6型导弹，如果仅仅是服务于澳大利亚的国家安全、国防战略，显然已经远远超出需求了。澳大利亚就是要通过配合美国的“印太战略”，积极参与亚太事务，凸显自己的“大国地位”“大国形象”。但是，这对于澳大利亚来说，是否具有积极意义，要打上一个大大的问号。作为亚太国家，澳大利亚和地区国家间的友好合作交往，才是其国家安全真正的基础。