By Marcus Hellyer*
The Department of Defence appears to be in the early stages of identifying a ship-launched land-attack missile for acquisition. The government assessed in its 2020 defence strategic update that it is ‘essential that the ADF grow its self-reliant ability to deliver deterrent effects’. A recent government announcement hints at acquiring a weapon like the Tomahawk land-attack missile, or TLAM. Could it provide a deterrent? Or, if it failed as a deterrent, could it provide a robust strike option? I’m sceptical.
