Australian navy successfully fires Tomahawk missile

Australia has escalated its defence capabilities with top-of-the-range Tomahawk missiles capable of destroying critical infrastructure, in a show of force amid increasing tensions from Beijing in the Pacific.

Navy Chief Vice Admiral Mark Hammond confirmed Australia had become the third country to acquire and test fire a long range, precision Tomahawk cruise missile, following a test conducted on HMAS Brisbane off the coast of San Diego.

Australia will acquire more than 200 of the subsonic projectiles, at a cost of $1.3bn, with the weapons set to be deployed on Australia’s three Hobart-class destroyers and future vessels including the three Virginia-class submarines set to be delivered under AUKUS.

Vice Admiral Hammond said boosting the capability of the Royal Australian Navy was critical at a time when maritime security was at risk.

The missiles boast a range of 2500km and have the ability to targets and obliterate large-scale land targets such as stationary aircraft and airfields.

“The enhanced lethality for our Navy mirrors the strategic realities we face – the peace and security that has sustained our prosperity since WWII is now challenged,” Vice Admiral Hammond said.

“The enhanced lethality of our surface fleet is a critical and much needed assurance mechanism to ensure our continued access to the sea, which sustains our livelihoods.”

He said the Navy was doing “everything humanly and legally possible” to optimise its combat-ready fleet, and credited the work of the Australian Defence Force for the quick turnaround.

The successful firing of the Tomahawk missiles also follows the test firings of the powerful Naval Strike Missile and Standard Missile 6 earlier this year.

“This is a historic advancement in terms of uplifting the lethality of the Royal Australian Navy in such a short period of time,” he said.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said the missile tests would keep Australians safe and ensure “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,” he said.

Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy said the Tomahawk missiles were a “game-changer”.

“The Tomahawk 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,” he said.