First firing for Australian NASAMS

The Australian Army’s contribution to the ADF’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) system took a step forward during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 when 16th Regiment’s National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) fired two AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles in the Northern Territory.

The surface-to-air missile system was deployed to the remote Bradshaw Field Training Area, some 600km south of Darwin, where 16th Regiment soldiers successfully shot down a simulated cruise missile threat several kilometres away and thousands of feet in the sky.

NASAMS forms part of the inner tier of the ADF’s IAMD system: a network of ships, fighter aircraft and surface-to-air missiles designed to protect Australia from airborne threats such as enemy missiles and aircraft.

“We provide the critical integration with joint partners to ensure the protection of friendly aircraft and control the effective delivery of land defensive fires against airborne threats,” said Major Talal Moutrage, an Air Defence Artillery Fire Control Officer.

It was the third successful live fire for the air defence regiment, after the AIM-9 Sidewinder was tested from the high-mobility launcher at Woomera Test Range earlier this year.