Illustration: Liu Xidan/GT

Australia on Tuesday announced a A$7 billion ($4.7 billion) agreement with the US to acquire long-range missiles. An expert noted that the deal could raise concerns and disrupt regional peace and stability. 

Australia will purchase the Standard Missile 2 Block IIIC (SM-2 IIIC) and Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) to bolster its air and missile defense, according to the statement released by the Australian government.

The SM-2 IIIC and SM-6 will be progressively deployed across the Australian Navy's Hobart class destroyers and in the future, the Hunter class frigates, according to the statement. 

Within the framework of the US "Indo-Pacific Strategy," the US has been striving to establish a hegemony system under its leadership. However, it's no longer able to tackle international challenges independently. As a result, it is seeking to bolster its strength through alliances and partnerships, with Australia being positioned at the forefront and expected to contribute both financially and militarily, Chen Hong, director of the Australian Studies Center of East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

The US wants to enhance its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region by deploying forces in military bases in Australia, including through missile deals, while also expecting Australia to assume greater military responsibilities, said Chen.

Australia is investing substantial amounts of money in military equipment, such as missiles, but these investments have not produced significant security benefits and may, in fact, increase its own security risks, Chen said, noting that "this could turn out to be an unwise decision and is not good for regional stability and development."

Global Times