By Xinhua
Canberra : Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said here Sunday his government was considering joining a limited US missile defence system because it may help to protect Australian troops in the field.
But Smith said Australia would not rush into taking any decision.
Speaking to the Australian television network Channel Nine, Smith said the technology of missile defence had improved and may be of use in settings such as war zones or areas where Australians were involved in peacekeeping missions.
“The technology’s moved on, and so what we’ve said is that in conversation with our ally, with the United States, we’re happy to give consideration to the missile defence arrangements,” Smith said.
“We made it clear during our time in opposition that we would happily give consideration to theatre or limited missile defence,” the foreign minister said.
“We’re not rushing to embrace it, we are just giving very careful consideration to it and we’ll do that in conjunction with our United States ally,” he added.