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Japan to Test Hypersonic Missiles in Australia Under New Deal
The deal would give Japan wider access to missile ranges for hypersonic tests as the countries deepen cooperation and advance a joint laser project.
- On Tuesday, August 18, 2026, Defence Minister Richard Marles and Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced Japan will conduct tests of hypersonic missiles and other projectiles on Australian soil, deepening bilateral military cooperation.
- Australia and Japan have deepened military cooperation as they monitor a rising China and respond to United States pressure for increased regional defense spending; the remote Woomera site has become increasingly attractive for testing advanced weapons.
- Both nations announced successful trials of the Boobook project, a jointly developed high-energy laser system to detect missile threats. Officials also noted steady progress on Australia's $10 billion deal to acquire Japanese-designed Mogami frigates over 10 years.
- Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi insisted the recent "Melongate" controversy was not discussed during meetings with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, after Tokyo accepted Australia's explanation for the remarks despite an Australian Federal Police investigation into leaked diplomatic correspondence.
- Describing the testing prospect as a "groundbreaking development," Koizumi noted it ranks second only to similar cooperation with the United States, positioning Australia as Tokyo's key strategic partner in advanced weapons testing.
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Tokyo and Canberra expanded the military test agreement against the background of China's growing military power.
·Kyiv, Ukraine
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The Straits TimesReposted by 
Free Malaysia Today News
Free Malaysia Today NewsJapan to test hypersonic missiles in Australia under new deal
Japan and Australia will co-develop a laser system to detect potential threats. Read more at straitstimes.com.
·Singapore, Singapore
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Japan will test hypersonic missiles and other weapons on Australian soil, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said Tuesday, along with his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi. It is part of deepening military cooperation that includes a jointly developed laser system,...
·Bratislava, Slovakia
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left1Leaning Right5Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution72% Right
Bias Distribution
- 72% of the sources lean Right
72% Right
14%
14%
R 72%
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