HMAS Brisbane fires Tomahawk ahead of purchase

Royal Australian Navy has achieved a major milestone in realising an enhanced and lethal surface combatant fleet, with Australia becoming only the third country in the world to acquire and fire a Tomahawk cruise missile.

CAPTION: HMAS Brisbane fires a Tomahawk missile off the cost of San Diego, USA. Main photo by Petty Officer Craig Walton. Right by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

HMAS Brisbane, a Hobart-class destroyer, has successfully fired the Tomahawk during a test and evaluation activity conducted off the west coast of the United States.

Minister for Defence Richard Marles said that with an extended range of up to 2500km, Tomahawk is a world-class capability, which allows maritime platforms to perform long-range precision strike against land targets.

“Acquiring this capability significantly enhances the ADF’s ability to deter against any potential threat and keep Australians safe,” Mr Marles said.

“Australia is one of only three nations alongside the United States and United Kingdom to acquire, and now fire, these missiles.

“Australia will acquire more than 200 Tomahawk missiles, which will be deployed in its Hobart-class destroyers and future Navy platforms including Virginia-class submarines and, subject to feasibility studies, the Hunter-class frigates.”

Mr Marles said the enhanced lethality of Navy’s surface combatant fleet was vital to ensuring the ADF was equipped to meet our strategic circumstances and keep Australians safe.

“The successful test firing of the Tomahawk missile demonstrates the strength of our alliance and defence cooperation with the United States, in support of a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.

“By enhancing our own Defence capabilities, and by working with partners, we change the calculus for any potential aggressor so that no state will ever conclude the benefits of conflict outweigh the risks.”

Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy said  Tomahawk was the jewel in the crown and a step change in firepower, deterrence and ability to strike land-based targets at ranges never before available to the Royal Australian Navy.

“The acquisition of Tomahawks, along with Naval Strike Missile and Standard Missile 6, is a game-changer for our ADF and comes years ahead of what was previously planned,” Mr Conroy said.

“This is about keeping Australians safe – but, in conjunction with our other investments in long-range strike, as well as the decision to manufacture NSM in Australia, it’s also about delivering more jobs and a safer future made in Australia.”

.

.


.


.