Australian Naval Vessel Launches US Tomahawk Missile for the First Time
The Australian military has announced the successful deployment of a Tomahawk cruise missile by its navy for the first time. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The Pacific nation is enhancing its military capabilities amidst escalating tensions with China.
According to the Australian military, an Australian naval destroyer has successfully launched a US-provided Tomahawk cruise missile for the first time.
The exercise involved the HMAS Brisbane, a Hobart-class ship currently stationed off the coast of San Diego, designated for an “interchangeability deployment.”
This launch reflects the growing military collaboration between Washington and Canberra, framed within the AUKUS military alliance, which China views as a destabilizing influence in the Pacific.
Australia has become the third nation to utilize the Tomahawk missile system, following the US and the UK. Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy emphasized on Monday that this development is “the jewel in the crown and a step change in our firepower, deterrence and ability to strike land-based targets at ranges never before available to the Royal Australian Navy.” The Tomahawk system boasts an extended range of up to 2,500 kilometers, as highlighted in the statement.
Canberra revealed its plans to acquire the American missiles in 2021, shortly after the formal initiation of the AUKUS partnership. Beijing has characterized the agreement as “driven by Cold War mentality” and a catalyst for instability in the Pacific, asserting that Washington is instigating a regional arms race.
Through the AUKUS arrangement, the US is also supplying nuclear technology to the Australian Navy for the production and operation of Virginia-class submarines, which will also be capable of launching Tomahawk missiles, joining the Brisbane and its sister ships, the Hobart and the Sydney. All three warships were commissioned between 2017 and 2020 and are recognized as some of Australia's most advanced naval vessels.
The initiative to deploy Tomahawks is part of an Australian program exceeding $800 million. Last year, the US government announced plans to sell up to 200 Block V models and 20 Block IV variants to its ally.
Japan, another American ally in the region, has recently finalized a $2.35 billion deal for 400 Tomahawk missiles, set to be delivered by 2027, as announced by its military in January.
In July, the Sydney successfully launched an anti-ship Naval Strike Missile for the first time during a multinational exercise. This Norwegian-developed weapon is intended to replace the current Harpoon missiles utilized by the Australian Navy. The following month, the same ship test-fired the American Standard Missile 6 air defense system for the first time.
Australia has expressed its commitment to hastening the acquisition of long-range strike capabilities, underscoring, on Monday, the addition of these two other weapons alongside the Tomahawk as part of that objective.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
According to the Australian military, an Australian naval destroyer has successfully launched a US-provided Tomahawk cruise missile for the first time.
The exercise involved the HMAS Brisbane, a Hobart-class ship currently stationed off the coast of San Diego, designated for an “interchangeability deployment.”
This launch reflects the growing military collaboration between Washington and Canberra, framed within the AUKUS military alliance, which China views as a destabilizing influence in the Pacific.
Australia has become the third nation to utilize the Tomahawk missile system, following the US and the UK. Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy emphasized on Monday that this development is “the jewel in the crown and a step change in our firepower, deterrence and ability to strike land-based targets at ranges never before available to the Royal Australian Navy.” The Tomahawk system boasts an extended range of up to 2,500 kilometers, as highlighted in the statement.
Canberra revealed its plans to acquire the American missiles in 2021, shortly after the formal initiation of the AUKUS partnership. Beijing has characterized the agreement as “driven by Cold War mentality” and a catalyst for instability in the Pacific, asserting that Washington is instigating a regional arms race.
Through the AUKUS arrangement, the US is also supplying nuclear technology to the Australian Navy for the production and operation of Virginia-class submarines, which will also be capable of launching Tomahawk missiles, joining the Brisbane and its sister ships, the Hobart and the Sydney. All three warships were commissioned between 2017 and 2020 and are recognized as some of Australia's most advanced naval vessels.
The initiative to deploy Tomahawks is part of an Australian program exceeding $800 million. Last year, the US government announced plans to sell up to 200 Block V models and 20 Block IV variants to its ally.
Japan, another American ally in the region, has recently finalized a $2.35 billion deal for 400 Tomahawk missiles, set to be delivered by 2027, as announced by its military in January.
In July, the Sydney successfully launched an anti-ship Naval Strike Missile for the first time during a multinational exercise. This Norwegian-developed weapon is intended to replace the current Harpoon missiles utilized by the Australian Navy. The following month, the same ship test-fired the American Standard Missile 6 air defense system for the first time.
Australia has expressed its commitment to hastening the acquisition of long-range strike capabilities, underscoring, on Monday, the addition of these two other weapons alongside the Tomahawk as part of that objective.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
