US approves sale of 220 Tomahawk cruise missiles to Australia in $895m deal – irking China

Australia will now become the only US ally to obtain the Tomahawk weapon system after the UK

The US State Department has approved the sale of 220 long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles for Australia in a move that has drawn criticism from China for “triggering a regional arms race”.

The deal, valued at $885m and which needs a final sign-off from Congress, will include the sale, maintenance and logistical support for the missiles, said Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

The missiles will first be deployed to existing surface ships to be used later on a new fleet of nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarines which Australia is set to acquire from the US under the Aukus defence pact.