Royal Australian Navy Hobart Class destroyer, HMAS Sydney, has conducted a successful firing of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) in a major milestone for the Australian Defence Force. The launch of NSM munitions is considered a significant improvement as the Navy replaces ageing Harpoon weapon systems and pushes forward with integrating enhanced lethality strike capabilities into the surface combatant fleet as directed by the government, Defence Connect reports.
The firing was conducted during Exercise RIMPAC 2024, being hosted by the United States Navy off Hawaii, during a simulated activity that tested the sinking of Ex-USS Tarawa LHA-1.
This is a major milestone towards achieving the objectives of the National Defence Strategy by enhancing Defence’s integrated, focused force and a great example of Defence’s collaboration with industry and international partners, according to Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy.
“This collaboration between Defence and industry partner Kongsberg Defence Australia, along with local Australian companies such as Marand, Aerobond, Australian Precision Technologies, Nupress Group, Axiom Precision Manufacturing and Stahl Metall, demonstrates the Australian government’s commitment to working with defence industry to accelerate enhanced lethality capability integration,” he said.
“The National Defence Strategy outlined a strategy of denial as the cornerstone of Defence planning to prevent any potential adversary from succeeding in coercing Australia through force, while supporting regional security and prosperity.
“This firing was an excellent example of Defence, our international partners and Australian industry working together to accelerate the delivery of new capability to promote regional stability.
“Australia’s strategic environment is changing rapidly; the introduction of Naval Strike Missile allows our Navy’s surface ships to conduct long-range maritime strike and delivers on our promise to increase the capability and lethality of our Navy.”
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HMAS Sydney – built at Osborne in South Australia – is a guided-missile destroyer that can provide air defence and maritime protection for accompanying ships, land forces and infrastructure in coastal areas.
“HMAS Sydney’s firing of Naval Strike Missile during RIMPAC 2024 represents a significant increase in the lethality of our surface fleet and delivers on our commitment to accelerate the introduction of enhanced lethality strike capabilities,” Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, AO, RAN, said.
“Naval Strike Missile is a key capability for the lethality enhancement and survivability of our ships and enables our ability to hold an adversary at risk at greater range.
“Multi-domain strike capabilities, including Naval Strike Missile, are foundational to deterring any potential adversary’s attempts to project power against Australia.”
