The Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Sydney has conducted a successful firing of the Naval Strike Missile, RAN’s replacement for the ageing Harpoon weapon system. The firing was conducted during Exercise RIMPAC 2024, being hosted by the United States Navy off Hawaii, during a simulated activity which tested the sinking of Ex-USS TarawaLHA1.
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. 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.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said: “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. 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.”
Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond said said: “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. 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.”
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Great news. The NSM is a sorely needed upgrade with increased range and survivability compared to the Harpoon. Notably this also give the Hobart class a land strike capability before the upcoming Aegis baseline 9 and Tomahawk upgrade. Although the launcher placement makes sense given the “like for like” replacement of the Harpoon, I wonder if the RAN missed an opportunity to up-gun the Hobart’s. Had the launchers been installed between the VLS and the superstructure on the bow in a similar fashion to the Type 23/Type 45, additional weapon systems such as SeaRAM, Mk-144 or even BAE’s Adaptable Deck Launcher could be fitted amidships. The Hobart’s need every advantage they can get.