But exactly how it affects local programs won't be known until the Government provides more detail on Australia's involvement.

Defence Minister Robert Hill announced last week that Australia would take part in the US program.

The controversial "son of Star Wars" initiative would protect the US and its allies from ballistic missiles under an umbrella of weapons capable of shooting down an attack.

Critics say such a grandiose program is not suited to an era of low-tech terrorist acts.

The missile defence network would rely on a global array of sensors that could detect an attack at launch. These sensors would be placed in the US and allied nations.

The network could include systems such as Australia's JORN over-the-horizon radar and the joint Australia-US facility at Pine Gap. Senator Hill said Australia would expand its involvement in detecting missile launches, would engage in research and testing, and Royal Australian Navy ships would be fitted with anti-ballistic missile systems.

How the system would fit with other elements of Australia's network-centric warfare plans "really depends on what involvement we will have", Australian Strategic Policy Institute program director Aldo Borgu said.

"It seems to be a continuation of what we have done previously, with some additional opportunity for Australian industry."

Nevertheless the ADF says any missile defence shield will be incorporated into its NCW plans.

"Whatever we do in that field will certainly be connected to the network," ADF future warfare director Colonel John Caligari said.

"It will be taken into account as part of the ADF and our approach to network-centric warfare. Everything will."

Australia has had long-standing involvement in missile defence system research through the Defence Science and Technology Organisation.

This report appears on australianIT.com.au.