Russian Media: Australia May Become a Japanese Weapons Testing Ground

Reference News Network reported on September 23 An article titled "Australia Prepares for Japan's Hypersonic Weapon Testing: Missile Cooperation in the Canberra-Tokyo Alliance" was published on the website of the Russian International Affairs Council on September 17, authored by Artem Galin, a researcher at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The full text is excerpted as follows:

In August 2026, the Australian Defense Minister and the Japanese Defense Minister reached an agreement to establish a mechanism that allows the Japan Self-Defense Forces to use Australian test ranges for missile testing, including hypersonic weapon testing. If this agreement is implemented, Canberra will become a part of the potential missile confrontation landscape in the Indo-Pacific region.

Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi visited Australia, where Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles held talks with him. After the meeting, both sides announced that Australia plans to allow the Japan Self-Defense Forces to use its test ranges for "testing new long-range strike weapon systems, including hypersonic missiles."

The two countries agreed to deepen defense cooperation, directly referring to each other as important pillars of their national security. Regardless of how experts from Japan and Australia interpret this statement, it reflects a decline in Japan's trust in the United States. Japan's missile testing in Australia is also based on this logic. Both sides have anticipated that the importance of Japan-Australia defense cooperation will be second only to the U.S.-Japan alliance.

Previously, the Japan Self-Defense Forces had launched air defense missiles and anti-ship missiles within Australia, but these were all part of joint exercise frameworks. Now, Australia is being integrated into Japan's weapon development chain. The vague statement about "various missiles, including hypersonic weapons" corresponds to quite specific plans, namely two types of weapon systems developed under Japan's "counterstrike capability" framework.

The first type is the "Hypersonic Glide Projectile" (HVGP) used for island defense. Japan has developed multiple warhead configurations for the HVGP, some capable of striking reinforced targets like aircraft carrier decks, while others are equipped with lethality components for attacking ground targets. The first production version of the HVGP has a range of approximately 500 kilometers, with subsequent improved models planned to extend the range to 3,000 kilometers by the early 2030s.

The second type of weapon is the Hypersonic Cruise Missile (HCM). Its core distinction from the HVGP lies in its flight principle: the HCM is powered by a scramjet engine, relying on the engine's continuous operation to complete its flight, rather than gliding without power. Both systems are part of Japan's long-range strike weapon project, intended for attacking maritime and ground targets.

Future tests are likely to be conducted at the Woomera Test Range in South Australia. This range is Australia's core missile testing base and includes the Woomera Prohibited Area, which covers 122,000 square kilometers, larger than Tasmania.

Experts point out that Australia is gradually becoming Japan's "Plan B" to hedge against the risks of U.S. power contraction in the Indo-Pacific region. Meanwhile, Tokyo hopes to involve Canberra in Japan's "counterstrike capability" development, making Australia a participant in a broader deterrence system.

Why did Japan specifically choose Australia for testing? The reason is straightforward: Japan's land area is insufficient. Hypersonic testing requires hundreds of kilometers of open airspace, with the ability to track the flight throughout, while minimizing risks to civilians and civilian infrastructure. Testing corridors must be either at sea or in sparsely populated land areas. Therefore, Tokyo is utilizing U.S. test ranges and has now added Australian test ranges.

The usage patterns of military infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region are changing. Australia is gradually transforming into a weapon testing ground for new partners, deepening military technology cooperation with countries like Japan. At the same time, Japan's defense export landscape is changing, with the "Maya" class frigate orders being a significant precedent for Japan's military technology exports. Export restrictions are also being revised, and Tokyo clearly intends to continue relaxing related restrictions. The geographical scope of deterrence will also continue to expand: once a regional crisis erupts, Australia and Japan will take on more responsibilities. Canberra fills the gaps for Tokyo, while Tokyo meets Canberra's needs. Even if the first missile does not launch as scheduled in 2027, this structural change in bilateral relations has already occurred. (Translated by Zhao Zhipeng)