The purchase, unveiled in Washington, is transparently aimed at preparing the navy to conduct offensive operations against China throughout the Indo-Pacific.

As Australia strengthens its defence capabilities with US missile systems, China may seize the opportunity to further arm itself in response to perceived threats

Australia said on Tuesday it would bolster air and missile defence 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 United States in Hawaii.

One analyst says the visit shows the force is "back in Xi's good graces" after the ouster of several top leaders as part of Xi's anti-corruption purge.

In a striking display of military might, Chinese President Xi Jinping recently inspected the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force, the guardian of China’s formidable nuclear arsenal. This high-profile review follows last month’s test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the continental United States,