SYDNEY – Australia said on Tuesday it would bolster air and missile defense in a A$7-billion ($4.7 billion) deal with the United States to acquire SM-2 IIIC and SM-6 long-range missiles for its navy.

The Australian navy test-fired the Raytheon SM-6 missile from a ship in August during exercises with the US in Hawaii.

The SM-6 is the most advanced naval air defense missile in the US arsenal, including against ballistic missiles, and has also been tested for striking ships and ground targets, and in air-to-air scenarios.

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Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said the SM-6 will be deployed across the navy's Hobart class destroyers and future Hunter class frigates.

"The Standard Missile‑6 and Standard Missile 2 Block IIIC will enable our Navy to strike maritime, land and air targets at long-range, and provide a terminal ballistic missile defense capability, boosting the capacity for the ADF to safeguard Australians and their interests," he said in a statement.

Australia said last year it will prioritize long-range precision strike capability and hardening its northern bases in the country's biggest defense shake-up since World War Two.

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Australia is enhancing deterrence by rapidly boosting the Navy’s long-range strike capabilities, Tuesday's statement said. Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy said Australia faces the "most complex geo-strategic environment since the Second World War".

Australia and the US are working to upgrade bases in northern and western Australia.