HMAS Sydney’s new missile fire a major milestone

Hobart-class destroyer HMAS Sydney has conducted a successful firing of the Naval Strike Missile, Navy’s replacement for the ageing Harpoon weapon system.

CAPTION: HMAS Sydney fires Royal Australian Navy’s first Naval Strike Missile during a SINKEX off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii,as a part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024. Photo by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

The firing was conducted during Exercise RIMPAC 2024, being hosted by the United States Navy off Hawaii, during a simulated activity which tested [sic] the sinking of Ex-USS Tarawa LHA1.

Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond said HMAS Sydney’s firing of Naval Strike Missile during RIMPAC 2024 represented a significant increase in the lethality of Australia’s surface fleet.

“Naval Strike Missile is a key capability for the lethality enhancement and survivability of our ships and enables our ability to hold an adversary at risk at greater range,” Vice Admiral Hammond said.

 

“Multi-domain strike capabilities including Naval Strike Missile are foundational to deterring any potential adversary’s attempts to project power against Australia.”

Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said the firing was a major milestone towards achieving the objectives of the National Defence Strategy by enhancing Defence’s integrated, focused force, and was a great example of Defence’s collaboration with industry and international partners.

“This firing was an excellent example of Defence, our international partners and Australian industry working together to accelerate the delivery of new capability to promote regional stability,” Mr Conroy said.

“Australia’s strategic environment is changing rapidly, the introduction of Naval Strike Missile allows our Navy’s surface ships to conduct long range maritime strike and delivers on our promise to increase the capability and lethality of our Navy.”

 

 

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