government buying himars, page-20

Not sure you have this right Dave.
Both these missile systems increase our anti - ship defensive capability.( the himars platform also useful ground to ground for the army)
As do submarines .( for the record , way back , I was in favour of nuclear powered , conventionally armed , French subs ).
If deployed and used properly , the missiles and subs decrease the chances of successful invasion .
They don't replace aircraft , but they certainly provide more defensive bang for your bucks.
We can afford to make invasion very expensive at the very least.

Australia probably has the capability to manufacture the Himars , and there good strategic reasons for them to do so, as well as as other expendable ordinance I doubt they will be crowing about it much if they do though.
cheers