China's missile threat to Australia is growing, report says

Key facts

• China possesses the capability to launch a direct missile strike on Australia.
• The threat is escalating due to China's development of long-range and hypersonic weapons.
• Missiles can be launched from Chinese ships, submarines, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles.
• The DF-27 missile has a range of 5,000 to 8,000 kilometers.
• The Lowy Institute report highlights a lack of public awareness in Australia regarding this military risk.

China's capacity to launch a direct missile strike on Australia is growing, driven by its increasing development of long-range and hypersonic weapons, according to a report by the Lowy Institute. The think tank found that missiles fired from Chinese ships, submarines, and new intermediate-range ballistic missiles could reach the Australian continent.

The report highlights that the DF-27 intermediate-range ballistic missile, with a range of 5,000 to 8,000 kilometers, is a key component of this growing threat. This capability is expected to expand over the next decade as China increases its deployment of such missiles. The Lowy Institute emphasized that its assessment focuses on Beijing's military capabilities rather than its intentions.