Australia-US MOU on Ballistic Missile
Defence

• The signature of the Australia-US MOU on Missile Defence is a significant
  long-term commitment to Australia's future security.
• Missile Defence is a long-term measure to counter potential threats
  to Australia's security and interests from ballistic missile proliferation. It
  is a purely defensive system.
• Work has already begun with the US on exploring the application of
  Australia's leading over-the-horizon radar technology to Missile Defence. Other
  potential areas for future participation in the program include cooperation
  in ballistic missile early warning, through ship and ground-based sensors.

Australia-US Joint Combined Training Centre

• The agreement to develop a Joint Combined Training Centre will significantly
  enhance the quality of our bilateral training program and Australian
  Defence Force capabilities.
• Australia and the US have a long history of mutually beneficial bilateral
  defence cooperation, which has for many years included joint training
  exercises in Australia and the United States.
• The Centre is a long-term commitment that will provide Australia with
  the world's best joint training facilities and high technology equipment
• The Centre will also help in the development of a range of capabilities
  which could possibly include combat, peacekeeping and humanitarian operations,
  therefore allowing both Australia and the US to respond more effectively
  to contemporary security challenges.
• Training facilities at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland
  and the Bradshaw Training Area and Delamere Air Weapons Range in the
  Northern Territory will be further developed and linked with US facilities. The
  specific details of these upgrades are yet to be determined.
• The centre will not be a US base, and the United States has not proposed
  establishing a permanent base in Australia.

Australia-US Joint Statement of Principles on Interoperability

• The signature of the Australia-US Joint Statement of Principles on Interoperability
  provides a strong practical foundation to further developing Australia-US
  military cooperation.
• The Statement of Principles provides an overarching and long-term statement
  that will guide decision making on the interoperability of Australia
  and US defence forces. This will enable us to work more closely
  and effectively in support of shared regional and global security interests.
• Australia and the US have already agreed to enhance interoperability
  between our defence forces in areas such as communications and information
  exchange, operational planning and training.

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