Australia commits to buying secretive AIM-260 JATM missiles, first non-US user

Australia's acquisition of the AIM-260 JATM as the first non-US operator, coupled with successful testing of indigenous solid-fuel rocket motor technology, directly strengthens maritime air-defence and signals deepening integration with US advanced-weapons ecosystems. This consolidates Pillar 6 (Maritime Defence) and Pillar 3 (Industrial Base) capability, reducing China's ability to degrade Australian air assets in a Taiwan-contingency or Indo-Pacific conflict.