Australian Deputy Defense Minister Richard Marles and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi agreed to accelerate arrangements for the Japan Self-Defense Forces to use Australian ranges to test weapons, including hypersonic missiles, according to a readout published by the Australian Department of Defense on Aug. 18. The ministers also announced successful South Australian field trials of Project Boobook, a laser prototype for detecting incoming threats and the first defense industry codevelopment project between the countries.