China News Service, September 28 (Reporter Diao Wei) The famous Russian think tank "Russian International Affairs Council" recently published an article revealing that Australia has allowed the Japanese Self-Defense Forces to use the country's shooting range to conduct new missile tests including hypersonic weapons.
Russian think tanks believe that the test site may be chosen at the Woomera Range, located in the inland desert of southern Australia. The latter covers an area of about 120,000 square kilometers and is one of the world's largest land-based fully enclosed weapons testing areas.
Japanese Type 12 anti-ship missile. Picture/Greek "Viewpoint" website
Since its opening in 1946, the range has been an important place for Australia and its Western allies to test missiles, aircraft and launch rockets. For example, the US military once tested the technical and tactical performance of the F-35 here.
Some analysts say that Japan may test two weapons in Australia: a hyperspeed glide missile (HVGP) and a hypersonic cruise missile (HCM).
India's "Defense News" website stated that the HVGP speed exceeds Mach 5 and can strike long-range large maritime targets such as aircraft carriers. The HCM flies at a speed exceeding Mach 6 and can raid naval and air force bases, logistics hubs and command centers.
Foreign media said that testing hypersonic weapons requires a large open airspace and the ability to track flight status throughout the entire process. The Woomera shooting range, which has complete measurement and control facilities and a maximum span of more than 500 kilometers, is obviously an ideal choice for Japan.
Special observer Cheng Rui told China News Service that in recent years, Japan-Australia military relations have become closer and cooperation has gradually deepened, which is evident from Japan's "progressive" visits to Australia to conduct weapons tests.
According to the Greek "Military Intelligence Communication" website, during the 2023 "Saber Saber" joint exercise, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces conducted live firing of Type 12 anti-ship missiles at the Beecroft shooting range in eastern Australia.
In July 2025, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces tested Type 03 medium-range air defense missiles on the east coast of Australia in the name of participating in annual joint exercises.
Cheng Rui believes that from using the cover of joint exercises to blatantly going to Australia to carry out weapons tests, Japan has continuously broken through the constraints of the "peace constitution" and realized its "borrowing chicken to lay eggs" attempt to expand its armaments.
He pointed out that both HVGP and HCM are long-range offensive weapons that violate the "defense-focused" policy. In the final analysis, Japan is improving its so-called "new combat capabilities" to prepare for war.
Cheng Rui also said that Australia’s series of actions are also fueling Japan’s ambition to “remilitarize”.
For example, in April this year, the two countries signed a huge arms sales agreement. According to the Associated Press, Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will build three Mogami-class guided missile frigates for Australia, and the first ship is expected to be delivered within three years.
The Belgian "Army Knowledge" website stated that this arms deal worth US$6.5 billion is the largest arms export order obtained by Japan after World War II.
According to Thailand's "Asian Military Review", in late August this year, the high-energy laser jointly developed by Japan and Australia completed the range test. Project participants included Japan's Mitsubishi Electric and the Australian Defense Technology Group.
Foreign media quoted the Australian Defense Minister as saying that the laser can be installed on vehicles and ships for detection and early warning of air targets. Mitsubishi Electric has also invested approximately US$50 million to establish a "defense industrial base" in Australia.
Some people believe that according to development trends, this laser may be upgraded to a "laser cannon" with anti-missile and interception drone capabilities in the future.
Foreign media said that in addition to the above-mentioned projects, Japan and Australia are also cooperating in areas such as unmanned attack submarines, large stealth drones, and new air defense and anti-missile systems. (over)
