CANBERRA, Dec. 4 (Xinhuanet) -- Australia announced Thursday that it will participate in the US missile defense program, for both strategic defense interests and business opportunities for the country's industry.

    Defense Minister Robert Hill announced in a statement that Australia is working with the United States to determine the most appropriate forms of Australian participation in the program.

    In an effort to allay any possible fears from Australia's neighbors, he said the missile defense program is a non-nuclear defensive system that "does not threaten other countries."

    Its purpose is to be able to "negate a ballistic missile threatand therefore discourage other countries from investing in ballistic missile systems," he said.

    The forms of Australia's participation under discussion with Washington include:

    -- Expanded cooperation to help detect missiles at the point oflaunch and therefore get early warning of an impending attack.

    -- Acquisition of, or other cooperation in the fields of, ship-based and ground-based sensors.

    -- Science and technology research development, testing and evaluation.

    Telling reporters here, he added Australia does not envisage a ground-based missile defense system on the country's territory. Such as system may possibly be stalled in three planned air warfare destroyers for the navy, he said.

    The cooperation may start with the scientific research in the area of radar sensors. And there will be no financial commitment for Australian participation, he explained.

    He noted it is a sensible decision for Australia to take and "we think that we can play a part, obviously a small part in terms of the massive overall program."

    "Developing this (anti-missile) capability will contribute to global, regional and Australian security by offering protection from missile attack and dissuading nations from acquiring or developing such weapons," he said.

    He acknowledged that Australia feels safer while being part of the US program.

    The defense minister said "the government is concerned that Australia might one day be threatened by long range missiles with mass destruction effect and believes that investment in defensive measures is important."

    "We believe that we will be better able to meet that threat inthe future if it comes to pass," he said. Enditem