The Royal Australian Navy fires a naval attack missile for the first time

Press release from the Australian Department of Defence

Hobart-class destroyer, HMAS Sydney, has successfully launched a Naval Strike Missile, the replacement for the Navy’s aging Harpoon weapon system.

The was carried out during the RIMPAC 2024 exercisehosted by the United States Navy off Hawaii, during a simulated activity in which the sinking of the former USS Tarawa LHA1.

This is an important milestone towards achieving the objectives of the National Defence Strategy by strengthening integrated, focused forces and a great example of defence cooperation with industry and international partners.

HMAS Sydney – built in Osborne, South Australia – is a guided missile destroyer capable of providing air defence and maritime protection for escort ships, land forces and infrastructure in coastal areas.

Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said:

“This collaboration between the Department of Defence and industry partner Kongsberg Defence Australia, as well as local Australian companies such as Marand, Aerobond, Australian Precision Technologies, Nupress Group, Axiom Precision Manufacturing and Stahl Metall, demonstrates the Australian Government’s commitment to working with the defence industry to accelerate the integration of enhanced lethality capabilities.”

“The National Defence Strategy outlined a strategy of denial as a cornerstone of defence planning to prevent a potential adversary from succeeding in coercing Australia by force while supporting regional security and prosperity.

“This launch was an excellent example of the Department of Defence, our international partners and Australian industry working together to accelerate the delivery of new capabilities to promote regional stability.

“Australia’s strategic environment is changing rapidly. The introduction of Naval Strike Missile enables our Navy’s surface ships to conduct long-range naval strikes and delivers on our promise to increase our Navy’s capability and strike power.”

Chief of the Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, said:

“The launch of Naval Strike Missiles by HMAS Sydney during RIMPAC 2024 represents a significant increase in the lethality of our surface fleet and is a result of our commitment to accelerate the fielding of enhanced lethal strike capabilities.

“Naval Strike Missile is a key capability to increase the striking power and survivability of our ships and enables us to keep an enemy at bay at greater distances.

“To counter attempts by a potential adversary to demonstrate its power against Australia, strike capabilities across multiple domains, including naval attack missiles, are essential.”