CANBERRA, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said here on Sunday his government was considering joining a limited U.S. missile defense system because it may help to protect Australian troops in the field.

    But Smith said Australia would not be rushed into any decision.

    Speaking to the Australian television network the Channel Nine, Smith said the technology of the missile defense 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 defense arrangements," Smith said.

    "We made it clear during our time in opposition that we would happily give consideration to theater or limited missile defense," 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.