Defence contractors target Australia as it gears up to counter China

Summary Summary Companies Advanced drones, long-range missiles on display at air show To make buys once strategic review made public next month Eyeing local production of key items AVALON, Australia, March 2 (Reuters) – As close U.S. ally Australia gears up to counter China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region, global defence contractors this week showed off advanced drones, long-range missiles and military communications satellites at its biggest air show. The firms are pushing for billions of dollars’ worth of purchases expected after Australia’s long-awaited defence strategic review (DSR) is made public next month, setting out the force structure and…