Australia’s destroyer fires naval attack missiles for the first time (video)

HMAS Sydney, a Hobart-class destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy, has successfully fired a naval attack missile for the first time.

It was reported that the launch took place as part of a long-planned live-fire sinking exercise off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii, as part of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 exercise.

It happened during a simulated activity testing the sinking of the former USS Tarawa LHA1.

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.

“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.”, Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, said.

“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.“

“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.”

Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands from June 27 to August 1, 2024.

RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971.