Latest news with #SpaceCentreAustralia
News.com.au
28-05-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Scott Morrison warns China, Russia developing hi-tech space weapons
Australia should be looking to expand its defence capabilities in space due to threats posed by nuclear-armed foes, Scott Morrison says. The former prime minister is now the chairman of Space Centre Australia, which plans to set up a major space hub in Cape York. Mr Morrison said on Wednesday that while the West still had 'quite a significant advantage over potential adversaries', foes were swiftly progressing technologically. 'Space is increasingly part of what we must now do in defence,' he told Sky News. 'Back in 2020 we actually defined space as a war fighting domain and set our defence forces on the path to be able to participate.' Mr Morrison said there was 'not a thing you do almost today, whether it's on land or in sea or in air, that doesn't depend on the assets and capabilities that you have in space'. 'Currently, the US and its allies (have) a quite a significant advantage over potential adversaries, but you know that is changing,' he said. 'We're seeing what the Chinese and Russians are doing. 'There's reports of even Russia having a nuclear anti-satellite weapon that they've been developing. 'China has increasingly more manoeuverable satellites and developing much more sophisticated technologies, which enables them to use that to target movement of forces and other assets around the globe, through their missiles and other offensive weapons. 'So space, whether we like it or not, is part of modern warfare.' Mr Morrison's comments came after Donald Trump announced his plan for a 'Golden Dome' to protect the US from potential nuclear attacks. The system, which the US President said he wanted built before the end of his term, would use ground-based interceptors and satellites to protect against hi-tech threats, including hypersonic missiles. Mr Morrison said he could see Australia playing a role in the dome's development and even adopting the tech down the line. 'It's very possible that it could be extended to other allies and partners,' he said. 'But I imagine the price on that would be pretty strong, certainly in the early phases. 'But we can play a role, and that's important because we're allies.' The Trump administration has attached a $US175bn ($271.4bn) price-tag to the Golden Dome. Though, the US Congressional Budget Office has calculated it could cost $US831bn ($1.3 trillion) over two decades. Mr Morrison, a founder of AUKUS, also used a speech on Tuesday to call for space to be part of the defence pact's third pillar. AUKUS Pillar I focused on submarines, with the US and UK sharing technology to build nuclear-powered boats in Australia. AUKUS Pillar II focused on enhancing trilateral co-operation on cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and quantum technologies. Mr Morrison said a 'strong argument can also be made that such initiatives could form the basis of Australia's contribution to a new Pillar III for AUKUS which, as its founder, I would strongly support'.
West Australian
28-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Scott Morrison warns China, Russia developing hi-tech space weapons
Australia should be looking to expand its defence capabilities in space due to threats posed by nuclear-armed foes, Scott Morrison says. The former prime minister is now the chairman of Space Centre Australia, which plans to set up a major space hub in Cape York. Mr Morrison said on Wednesday that while the West still had 'quite a significant advantage over potential adversaries', foes were swiftly progressing technologically. 'Space is increasingly part of what we must now do in defence,' he told Sky News. 'Back in 2020 we actually defined space as a war fighting domain and set our defence forces on the path to be able to participate.' Mr Morrison said there was 'not a thing you do almost today, whether it's on land or in sea or in air, that doesn't depend on the assets and capabilities that you have in space'. 'Currently, the US and its allies (have) a quite a significant advantage over potential adversaries, but you know that is changing,' he said. 'We're seeing what the Chinese and Russians are doing. 'There's reports of even Russia having a nuclear anti-satellite weapon that they've been developing. 'China has increasingly more manoeuverable satellites and developing much more sophisticated technologies, which enables them to use that to target movement of forces and other assets around the globe, through their missiles and other offensive weapons. 'So space, whether we like it or not, is part of modern warfare.' Mr Morrison's comments came after Donald Trump announced his plan for a 'Golden Dome' to protect the US from potential nuclear attacks. The system, which the US President said he wanted built before the end of his term, would use ground-based interceptors and satellites to protect against hi-tech threats, including hypersonic missiles. Mr Morrison said he could see Australia playing a role in the dome's development and even adopting the tech down the line. 'It's very possible that it could be extended to other allies and partners,' he said. 'But I imagine the price on that would be pretty strong, certainly in the early phases. 'But we can play a role, and that's important because we're allies.' The Trump administration has attached a $US175bn ($271.4bn) price-tag to the Golden Dome. Though, the US Congressional Budget Office has calculated it could cost $US831bn ($1.3 trillion) over two decades. Mr Morrison, a founder of AUKUS, also used a speech on Tuesday to call for space to be part of the defence pact's third pillar. AUKUS Pillar I focused on submarines, with the US and UK sharing technology to build nuclear-powered boats in Australia. AUKUS Pillar II focused on enhancing trilateral co-operation on cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and quantum technologies. Mr Morrison said a 'strong argument can also be made that such initiatives could form the basis of Australia's contribution to a new Pillar III for AUKUS which, as its founder, I would strongly support'.
Perth Now
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
‘Space': Grim warning on modern warfare
Australia should be looking to expand its defence capabilities in space due to threats posed by nuclear-armed foes, Scott Morrison says. The former prime minister is now the chairman of Space Centre Australia, which plans to set up a major space hub in Cape York. Mr Morrison said on Wednesday that while the West still had 'quite a significant advantage over potential adversaries', foes were swiftly progressing technologically. Former prime minister Scott Morrison says Australia should expand its defence capabilities in space due to threats posed by nuclear-armed foes. Richard Dobson / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia 'Space is increasingly part of what we must now do in defence,' he told Sky News. 'Back in 2020 we actually defined space as a war fighting domain and set our defence forces on the path to be able to participate.' Mr Morrison said there was 'not a thing you do almost today, whether it's on land or in sea or in air, that doesn't depend on the assets and capabilities that you have in space'. 'Currently, the US and its allies (have) a quite a significant advantage over potential adversaries, but you know that is changing,' he said. 'We're seeing what the Chinese and Russians are doing. 'There's reports of even Russia having a nuclear anti-satellite weapon that they've been developing. 'China has increasingly more manoeuverable satellites and developing much more sophisticated technologies, which enables them to use that to target movement of forces and other assets around the globe, through their missiles and other offensive weapons. 'So space, whether we like it or not, is part of modern warfare.' Mr Morrison's comments came after Donald Trump announced his plan for a 'Golden Dome' to protect the US from potential nuclear attacks. The system, which the US President said he wanted built before the end of his term, would use ground-based interceptors and satellites to protect against hi-tech threats, including hypersonic missiles. Mr Morrison said he could see Australia playing a role in the dome's development and even adopting the tech down the line. 'It's very possible that it could be extended to other allies and partners,' he said. 'But I imagine the price on that would be pretty strong, certainly in the early phases. 'But we can play a role, and that's important because we're allies.' The Trump administration has attached a $US175bn ($271.4bn) price-tag to the Golden Dome. Though, the US Congressional Budget Office has calculated it could cost $US831bn ($1.3 trillion) over two decades. Mr Morrison says space should be included in AUKUS Pillar III. Credit: BAE Systems Credit: Supplied Mr Morrison, a founder of AUKUS, also used a speech on Tuesday to call for space to be part of the defence pact's third pillar. AUKUS Pillar I focused on submarines, with the US and UK sharing technology to build nuclear-powered boats in Australia. AUKUS Pillar II focused on enhancing trilateral co-operation on cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and quantum technologies. Mr Morrison said a 'strong argument can also be made that such initiatives could form the basis of Australia's contribution to a new Pillar III for AUKUS which, as its founder, I would strongly support'.
The Age
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Age
Trump's ‘golden dome' golden opportunity for AUKUS in space, says Morrison
US President Donald Trump's ambitious 'golden dome' missile defence system creates opportunities for Australia, says former prime minister Scott Morrison, who wants the AUKUS pact to expand from undersea into space. The former prime minister and now chairman of the advisory board for Space Centre Australia has warned that while the United States has the most sophisticated and mature civil and military space capabilities, China is rapidly gaining ground in the space race and Russia is well established. In a major speech in Sydney on Tuesday, Morrison, one of the founders of the AUKUS defence arrangement with the US and United Kingdom, called for a third pillar of AUKUS co-operation to include the development of satellites and other forms of space technology. Morrison's speech comes just days after Trump announced the golden dome system, which is designed to defend America from ballistic and cruise missiles. Trump said the shield should be operational by the end of his four-year term. While the Trump administration has estimated the cost at $US175 billion, the Congressional Budget Office calculated a total cost of $US831 billion over two decades. In his speech, Morrison highlighted the fact that his government created the Australian Space Agency and promised more than $2 billion for the sector, including investing in satellites, the square kilometre telescope array and space-focused defence capabilities. But with the global space economy set to grow from $US630 billion to $US1.8 trillion by 2035, and the number of satellites set to increase from 12,000 to about 40,000 in the same time, Morrison said Australia needed to be more ambitious. 'Space is now a frontline in US-China strategic rivalry that dominates our post-globalisation world,' he said. 'To obtain control and even dominance in the space domain, major powers are developing both offensive and defensive capabilities.
Sydney Morning Herald
27-05-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Trump's ‘golden dome' golden opportunity for AUKUS in space, says Morrison
US President Donald Trump's ambitious 'golden dome' missile defence system creates opportunities for Australia, says former prime minister Scott Morrison, who wants the AUKUS pact to expand from undersea into space. The former prime minister and now chairman of the advisory board for Space Centre Australia has warned that while the United States has the most sophisticated and mature civil and military space capabilities, China is rapidly gaining ground in the space race and Russia is well established. In a major speech in Sydney on Tuesday, Morrison, one of the founders of the AUKUS defence arrangement with the US and United Kingdom, called for a third pillar of AUKUS co-operation to include the development of satellites and other forms of space technology. Morrison's speech comes just days after Trump announced the golden dome system, which is designed to defend America from ballistic and cruise missiles. Trump said the shield should be operational by the end of his four-year term. While the Trump administration has estimated the cost at $US175 billion, the Congressional Budget Office calculated a total cost of $US831 billion over two decades. In his speech, Morrison highlighted the fact that his government created the Australian Space Agency and promised more than $2 billion for the sector, including investing in satellites, the square kilometre telescope array and space-focused defence capabilities. But with the global space economy set to grow from $US630 billion to $US1.8 trillion by 2035, and the number of satellites set to increase from 12,000 to about 40,000 in the same time, Morrison said Australia needed to be more ambitious. 'Space is now a frontline in US-China strategic rivalry that dominates our post-globalisation world,' he said. 'To obtain control and even dominance in the space domain, major powers are developing both offensive and defensive capabilities.
