Navy conducts successful firing of Tomahawk cruise missile

The Royal Australian Navy has achieved a major milestone in realising an enhanced and lethal surface combatant fleet, with Australia becoming only the third country in the world to acquire and fire a Tomahawk cruise missile.

HMAS Brisbane, a Hobart class destroyer, has successfully fired a Tomahawk missile during a test and evaluation activity conducted off the west coast of the United States. 

In line with the priorities set out in the 2024 National Defence Strategy, the Albanese Government is committed to accelerating the acquisition of long-range strike capabilities for the Australian Defence Force (ADF). 

With an extended range of up to 2,500km, the Tomahawk is a world-class capability, which allows maritime platforms to perform long-range precision strike against land targets. Acquiring this capability significantly enhances the ADF’s ability to deter against any potential threat and keep Australians safe. 

Australia is one of only three nations alongside the United States and United Kingdom to acquire, and now fire, these missiles.

This Tomahawk firing follows the firings of the Naval Strike Missile and Standard Missile 6 earlier this year and is a practical demonstration of the speed at which the Albanese Government is delivering on its commitment to enhance the lethality of Navy’s surface combatant fleet. 

Australia will acquire more than 200 Tomahawk missiles, which will be deployed in its Hobart class destroyers and future Navy platforms including Virginia class submarines and, subject to feasibility studies, the Hunter class frigates.

The Albanese Government is investing $1.3 billion to acquire this important capability for the Navy, which is being introduced into service several years faster than originally planned. 

The Albanese Government’s acquisition of Tomahawk, along with the Naval Strike Missile and Standard Missiles 6, provide Navy with the most sophisticated and cutting edge naval strike and missile defence capability in its history.

Quotes attributable to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP: 

“The enhanced lethality of Navy’s surface combatant fleet is vital to ensuring the ADF is equipped to meet our strategic circumstances and keep Australians safe.

“The successful test firing of the Tomahawk missile demonstrates the strength of our alliance and defence cooperation with the United States, in support of a peaceful, stable and prosperous region. 

“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.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, the Hon Pat Conroy MP: 

“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.

“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. 

“This is about keeping Australians safe. But in conjunction with our other investments in long-range strike, as well as the decision to manufacture NSM in Australia, it’s also about delivering more jobs and a safer future made in Australia. Thank you to our Industry partners for your part in helping Defence to acquire these capabilities.” 

MEDIA NOTE:

Media can access imagery of HMAS Brisbane here: Defence Imagery: S20243872