Live fire at Exercise Talisman Sabre in Shoalwater Bay

Seven nations have participated in a live-fire activity at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area as part of the largest ever iteration of Exercise Talisman Sabre in terms of geographic spread and number of participating nations. The live-fire activity was conducted by members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and personnel from the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, with support from personnel from France, Germany and New Zealand. Developing the ADF’s ability to precisely strike targets at longer-range is one of the six priority areas for immediate action identified by the Australian Government in response to the Defence Strategic Review. The live-fire activity included the following strike capabilities: A United States High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). The Australian Government is proceeding with its intention, announced in January 2023, to acquire the HIMARS system The Republic of Korea’s K-9 self-propelled howitzers. A K239 Chunmoo self-propelled Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) will also be test-fired during the course of Talisman Sabre Australian and United States M-777A2 towed artillery systems A range of United States air capabilities including the: F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, AC-130 gunship, UH-1 Viper and AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters. The live-fire activity is one aspect of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 which also includes amphibious landings, ground force manoeuvre, air combat and maritime operations and logistics activities. This year more than 30,000 military personnel from 13 nations are participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023. Assistant Minister for Defence Matt Thistlethwaite said: “Talisman Sabre is an important opportunity to enhance our interoperability with partner nations within the region and beyond. This live-fire event is the result of an enormous effort from thousands of people, working together on logistics and planning, covering everything from bringing large military equipment to Australia from the northern hemisphere, to ensuring we have enough food to sustain everyone on the ground in a remote location. Today’s demonstration was a fantastic opportunity to enhance the complexity of our training and represents a major step forward in our advanced capabilities cooperation with partner nations.” Australian military first with Japan In an Australian-military first, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) has conducted a live fire demonstration of a Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile (SSM) off the Australian east coast.​ (PHOTO: Provided) The live fire was part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 and marked the first time the JGSDF has tested the capability in Australia. The Type 12 SSM, which did not include explosive ordnance, was launched from a truck-mounted system at Beecroft Weapons Range and fired at an unmanned target in the East Australia Exercise Area off the coast of Jervis Bay. Exercise Director, Brigadier Damian Hill, said Talisman Sabre was an excellent opportunity to train alongside our allies and regional partners. “This is Japan’s largest-ever participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre, and further strengthens interoperability between our military forces. It is another example of how our valuable partnership continues to grow and deepen. Australia and Japan work closely together to support a secure, resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. We undertake military training exercises with Japan and other partners regularly, but Exercise Talisman Sabre is a good opportunity to conduct more complex training activities together, like this missile firing. I thank the Illawarra and South Coast communities for hosting the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force for the past weeks as they prepared for a safe and successful firing.” JGSDF Chief of Staff, General Morishita Yasunori said the live-fire activity helped build relationships. “Exercise Talisman Sabre is important because it strengthens cooperation with Australia and the US, which will help maintain and strengthen a free and open Indo-Pacific,” General Yasunori said. “I believe the SSM firing exercise, in conjunction with the Australian Navy, will enhance a high level of trust between Australia and Japan.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Director of Sales Graham Joss at [email protected]