US State Department gives the approval to sell 220 Tomahawk missiles to Australia

The U.S. State Department approved the sale of up to 220 Tomahawk cruise missiles to Australia Friday.

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There has been a growing concern about China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region, which has prompted Australia to announce it would purchase nuclear-powered attack submarines from the U.S. to modernize its fleet as a result of the deal.

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Tomahawk missiles can be fired from the new nuclear-powered submarines, according to Australian officials.

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Last month, Japan also announced plans to upgrade its military in an effort to deter China, including the purchase of 400 Tomahawk cruise missiles that will be available for deployment as early as 2026 in the country.

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There is a price tag of nearly $900 million on the sale of Australian missiles. The prime contractor for this project will be Raytheon Missiles and Defense, a company based in Arizona.

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The State Department issued a statement saying that the proposed transaction will promote US foreign policy and national security goals. "Australia is one of our most crucial allies in the Western Pacific."

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Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles stated that his nation would collaborate closely with the United States.

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Marles told Channel Nine that having longer-range strike missiles is a crucial asset for the nation. “It makes it possible for us to extend our reach deeper, which is ultimately how we are able to protect Australia.”

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Pat Conroy, the minister for the defense industry, stated that the missiles might be fired from the Virginia-class submarines that Australia would be purchasing as part of the so-called AUKUS contract.

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“We absolutely want the best capabilities for the Australian Defense Force, so that includes the ability to strike opponents as far away from the Australian mainland," he said to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "The cruise missiles and the submarines that launch them are essential components of that."

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Concerns have been expressed about the submarine deal's potential to make it easier for criminals to get around nuclear regulation in the future. This Monday, Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, vowed to oversee the proposed transfer from the United States to Australia with "extremely strict" standards.

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This Monday, former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating issued a scathing attack on his country's plans, claiming that due to the high cost, "it must be the worst deal in all history.”

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The cost of the submarines is expected to be between 268 billion and 368 billion Australian dollars ($178-$245 billion) over the course of three decades, according to Australian officials.

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Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, said that the government had been transparent about the expenses involved.

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"An evaluation of whether the purchase and subsequent construction of our own nuclear-powered submarines will boost our ability to protect ourselves by more than 10% is required. It does, and that is why it is a fantastic deal, Albanese said to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.