Australia to Upgrade Nulka Anti-Ship Missile Defense on Ships for $200M

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull made a commitment of $200 million to upgrade Nulka active missile decoy systems on existing ships.

Nulka system would help defend Australia from the threat of anti-ship missiles that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft and land, Turnbull said.

The 20 year program will include a new launch system and supporting technology to enhance Nulka’s effectiveness and will ensure that it continues protecting Australian and allied fleets well into the future, BAE Systems said in a statement Friday.

It will also include installation of new launch systems on the Anzac frigates which are being upgraded at Henderson as part of the AUD $2 billion, six-year Anzac Midlife Capability Assurance Program, the company said.

BAE Systems is responsible for the design, development and integration of the Nulka anti-ship missile defense system on Royal Australian Navy ships.

Nulka uses technology developed in Australia which has earned more than $1 billion in exports.

BAE Systems’ Australian supply chain will contribute more than 75 percent of the engineering support and components to the Nulka launch system.