The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has conducted its first test firing of a Tomahawk land-attack sea-launched cruise missile, taking a major step towards introducing the weapons system into operational service. The RAN is set to become the third navy to operate Tomahawk, following the US Navy and UK Royal (RN).
The test firing was conducted by HMAS Brisbane, the RAN’s second-in-class Hobart guided-missile destroyer (DDG), during a test and evaluation activity while the ship has been deployed off the US west coast.
Delivery of a Tomahawk capability is the next step in the navy’s development of enhanced lethality, within a wider Australian Defence Force strategic requirement to augment long-range strike capability to bolster regional deterrence at operational and strategic levels. Other naval steps taken include firing Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile (NSM) and Raytheon Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) weapons earlier in 2024, re-aligning the navy’s surface force structure under the 2023 Defence Strategic Review (DSR), and building a nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) capability through the AUKUS (Australia/UK/US) strategic partnership.
Tomahawk – also known as TLAM (Tomahawk land attack missile), and manufactured by US defence company RTX’s Raytheon business – delivers state-of-the-art land attack missile capability. Launched from surface ships, submarines, and ground-based launchers, its unique selling point is its 1,000-mile range. Two versions are in service: the Block IV Tactical Tomahawk (TacTom); and the Block V, which itself has three variants, namely an improved TacTom (V), maritime strike (Va), and multi-effects (Vb) warheads.
Australia is set to acquire more than 200 Tomahawks, to be fitted across its Hobart-class DDG fleet, its future SSN fleet, and – subject to feasibility studies – its incoming Hunter-class frigates.
Australia’s defence minister Richard Marles said “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.” The minister added that the successful Tomahawk test firing demonstrated the strength of Australia’s alliance and defence co-operation with the United States.
As security challenges increase globally and as conflicts like the Russo-Ukraine war point to the increased use of massed but precise strike capabilities, more navies are now looking seriously at systems like Tomahawk or at developing indigenous capability. The Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) are set to be the next two navies to step up as Tomahawk shooters.
by Dr. Lee Willett, London
