--- title: "Japan gains access to Australian test ranges for hypersonic missile trials" description: "The Defence Ministers of Australia and Japan confirmed an agreement granting Tokyo access to Australian test ranges for hypersonic missile and long-range system trials as part of strengthening strategic partnership." date: 2026-08-19T00:07:24.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/japan-gains-access-to-australian-test-ranges-for-hypersonic-missile-trials tags: [japan, australia, defense, hypersonic-missiles, military-cooperation] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Japan gains access to Australian test ranges for hypersonic missile trials ![Japanese hypersonic missile launcher in front of a building, showcasing military equipment for testing in Australia](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/19/yaponiya-i-avstraliya-iskusstvennoe-razgranichenie-polygonov/yaponiya-i-avstraliya-iskusstvennoe-razgranichenie-polygonov-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Australia will grant Japan access to test ranges for long-range missile trials. - Shinjiro Koizumi called the agreement a breakthrough for the Japan Self-Defense Forces. - The joint "Boukook" project for the development of laser detection systems has been launched. - The agreement complements a $10 billion contract for the supply of stealth destroyers. As part of the expansion of strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific region, Australia and Japan have reached a historic agreement granting Tokyo access to Australian test ranges for long-range missile weapon trials. This was announced by Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles during his visit to Canberra, where he met with his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi. The parties agreed to create "more efficient and expanded conditions for interaction" over the next decade, which will allow the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) to launch prospective systems, including hypersonic missiles, on Australian territory. ### Strategic breakthrough and access to test ranges Richard Marles emphasized that while various forms of strategic support had been discussed previously, the key outcome of the negotiations was the decision to grant access to launch sites. Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi called this measure a "breakthrough." He noted that the ability to conduct test launches of long-range missiles on Australian territory removes the geographical limitations imposed by the high population density of the Japanese archipelago. Tokyo plans to accelerate negotiations to implement this goal as soon as possible, allowing for the refinement of combat application of new systems under conditions close to real combat. ### Project "Boukook" and new technologies In addition to missile tests, the ministers announced the launch of a new joint defense project called "Boukook" during a press conference. The name is given in honor of the Australian owl, known for its ability to see in the dark. The project involves the joint development of an advanced laser system designed to detect potential threats. This cooperation in high-tech fields complements existing initiatives on intelligence sharing and airspace monitoring, strengthening the technological sovereignty of both states. ### Context: destroyer procurement and deterrence strategy The agreement on test ranges is a logical continuation of large-scale defense cooperation initiated in 2025. At that time, the countries signed one of Japan's largest military equipment export agreements since World War II: Australia will allocate 10 billion Australian dollars to acquire a fleet of stealth destroyers. These steps are directly linked to Japan's revised 2022 National Security Strategy, which proclaimed a course towards creating "counterstrike capabilities." Tokyo intends to use long-range missiles to strike enemy launchers outside the range of their systems. ### Hypersonic Type 12 Weapon At the center of the trials planned to be conducted in Australia are upgraded versions of the Type 12 surface-to-surface missile with increased range, as well as prospective hypersonic weapons under the Hypersonic Glide program. Koizumi's statements confirm that hypersonic systems will be the priority for testing at Australian launch sites. This decision will allow Japan to bypass flight range limitations imposed by geography and effectively practice scenarios for strikes on remote targets, which is a critically important element of the modern deterrence doctrine in the region. ## πŸ” Fact-Check Verification - [Japan and Australia reach agreement on hypersonic missile testing.](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/nhat-ban-va-australia-dat-thoa-thuan-thu-nghiem-ten-lua-sieu-vuot-am) - Π˜ΡΡ‚ΠΎΡ‡Π½ΠΈΠΊ ΠΏΠΎΠ΄Ρ‚Π²Π΅Ρ€ΠΆΠ΄Π°Π΅Ρ‚ Ρ„Π°ΠΊΡ‚ соглашСния ΠΌΠ΅ΠΆΠ΄Ρƒ министрами ΠΎΠ±ΠΎΡ€ΠΎΠ½Ρ‹ Π΄Π²ΡƒΡ… стран ΠΎΠ± использовании австралийских ΠΏΠΎΠ»ΠΈΠ³ΠΎΠ½ΠΎΠ². ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: What exactly does the new agreement provide? **A:** The agreement allows the Japan Self-Defense Forces to conduct test launches of long-range missiles, including hypersonic ones, on Australian territory. ### Q: What is the "Boukook" project? **A:** It is a new joint defense project between Australia and Japan to develop a laser system for threat detection, named after the Australian owl. ### Q: Which missiles will be tested? **A:** Primarily, this concerns the upgraded Type 12 missile and prospective hypersonic weapons under the Hypersonic Glide program.