Navy conducts successful firing of Tomahawk cruise missile

The Royal Australian Navy has achieved a major milestone with Australia becoming only the third country in the world to acquire and fire a Tomahawk cruise missile. HMAS Brisbane successfully fired a Tomahawk missile during a test and evaluation activity conducted off the west coast of the United States.

With an extended range of up to 2,500km, the Tomahawk 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, says Defence.

“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,” said Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery.

“The acquisition of Tomahawks, along with the Naval Strike Missile [NSM] and SM-6, is a game-changer for our ADF and comes years ahead of what was previously planned.

“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. Thank you to our Industry partners for your part in helping Defence to acquire these capabilities.”

This Tomahawk firing follows firings by Hobart-class destroyers of the NSM and SM-6 earlier this year. Australia is investing some $1.3 billion to 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.

“The enhanced lethality of Navy’s surface combatant fleet is vital to ensuring the ADF is equipped to meet our strategic circumstances and keep Australians safe,” according to Richard Marles, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence. “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.”