Australia, US and Japan strike missile agreement to deter China

Australia, the United States and Japan will launch a new air defence strategy, US President Joe Biden announced today.

The partnership, announced during a joint press conference between Biden and the Japanese Prime Minister, Kishida at the White House in Washington, brings closer military ties between the three nations in a move aimed at deterring China.

"Today we announce our vision to co-operate on a networked air defence architecture among the United States, Japan, and Australia to counter growing air and missile threats," a joint statement between the two leaders said.

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"We will explore enhanced cooperation, including missile defence information sharing to counter growing air and missile threats."

The partnership is aimed at bolstering defence and security cooperation throughout the Indo-Pacific region, at a time when China is growing increasingly assertive in the region.

Details of about the air defence systems have not been released.

But earlier this year, Australian and Japanese officials held talks about testing missiles on Australian ranges.

Biden and Kishida also said the AUKUS alliance nations of Australia, the US and Britain was looking at bringing in Japan as a technology partner.

This would be under pillar two of the tri-nation pact and involves sharing and developing advanced military technology, such as hypersonic missiles, undersea capabilities and artificial intelligence.

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In their joint statement, the US and Japan leaders said they were committed to pursuing a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

"The United States and Japan also remain committed to advancing trilateral cooperation with Australia to ensure a peaceful and stable region."

Unsafe aircraft an ship incidents between the US and Chinese militaries in the South China Sea were discussed when official from both countries met earlier this week.