The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has successfully launched a Tomahawk cruise missile during a test and evaluation exercise conducted off the west coast of the United States, the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) announced on 10 December.
The Tomahawk missile was launched from Hobart-class air warfare destroyer HMAS Brisbane, making Australia only the third country in the world to acquire and launch the long-range becoming only the third country in the world to acquire and fire a Tomahawk cruise missile. Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Hobart-class destroyer has carried out the service’s first firing of the Tomahawk cruise missile.
Australia earlier announced in August 2023 that it will acquire more than Tomahawk cruise missile for its Hobart-class destroyers and future Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines that Australia is expected to receive in the early 2030 under a A$1.3 billion acquisition plan. The missiles will also equip the RAN’s future Hunter-class frigates pending feasibility studies.
The DoD noted that the Tomahawk cruise missile – developed by RTX subsidiary Raytheon – is a submarine and ship-launched subsonic land-attack cruise missile with inertial navigation system (INS) guidance and a range of up to 2,500 km.
This Tomahawk launch follows earlier launches of the Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile (NSM) and the Raytheon Standard Missile 6 earlier in 2024.
“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 Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy.
“The acquisition of Tomahawks, along with Naval Strike Missile and Standard Missile 6, is a game-changer for our ADF and comes years ahead of what was previously planned,” added Conroy.
by Jr Ng
