Australia becomes third country to arm with Tomahawk cruise missiles

9 December, 2024 The Brisbane destroyer launches a Tomahawk cruise missile off the coast of San Diego, December 8, 2024. Photo: Royal Australian Navy The Australian Navy has launched a Tomahawk cruise missile for the first time during exercises off the west coast of the United States.

This was reported by Naval news. The Australian destroyer Brisbane (DDG-41) of the Royal Australian Navy underwent maintenance for four weeks with the support of the US Navy to launch the first cruise missile. The Tomahawk was launched during a joint deployment of the two navies operating from the San Diego Naval Base, California.

The missile successfully hit a ground target.

A Tomahawk cruise missile launched from the Australian destroyer Brisbane (DDG-41), December 2024. Photo: Royal Australian Navy

A Tomahawk cruise missile launched from the Australian destroyer Brisbane (DDG-41), December 2024. Photo: Royal Australian Navy

The hit by a Tomahawk cruise missile launched from the Australian destroyer Brisbane (DDG-41), December 2024.

Photo: Royal Australian Navy

Australia does not disclose the number of missiles purchased. However, it is known that the United States government had approved the sale of 200 Tomahawk Block V missiles and 20 Block IV missiles to Australia back in 2023. At that time, the expected value of the contract, approved by the International Defense Cooperation Agency, was about £1.14 billion.

The adoption of these missiles dramatically changes the operational range of the Australian Armed Forces and the Royal Navy, as the maximum strike range has increased from 124 km (AGM-84 Harpoon) to 1650 km (RGM-109E Tomahawk). Long-range missiles will significantly enhance the country's combat potential in a possible confrontation with China and its forces in the region.

Major rearmament of the Royal Australian Navy

In addition to the Tomahawks, the Australian Navy this year launched a large-scale upgrade of its anti-ship component, re-equipping destroyers with the latest NSM anti-ship missiles with a range of more than 185 kilometers. The first destroyer, HMAS Sydney, which is Brisbane's classmate, fired them in July this year.

Australia plans to completely replace the outdated AGM-84 Harpoon missiles with NSMs. To do this, the country has invested £850 million in building their production on its territory in cooperation with their developer, Kongsberg Defense Australia.

Launch of the NSM from the missile destroyer HMAS Sydney. July, 2024.

Photo credits: Australian Navy

Also in October of this year, the Royal Navy announced a major purchase of SM-2 IIIC and SM-6 long-range anti-aircraft missiles worth £4.68 billion. They will be deployed on the aforementioned Hobart-class destroyers: the eponymous Hobart, Brisbane and Sydney. In addition, they are planned to be installed on promising Hunter class frigates.

"The Standard Missile 6 and Standard Missile 2 Block IIIC will enable our Navy to strike maritime, land and air targets at long-range, and provide a terminal ballistic missile defense capability, boosting the capacity for the ADF to safeguard Australians and their interests," Defen?e Minister Richard Marles said.