The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has achieved a significant first for naval rearmament in northern Australia, rearming Australian, Canadian and US warships with vertical launching system (VLS) munitions.
Anzac class frigate HMAS Warramunga and Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey were rearmed at East Arm Wharf Darwin, while Halifax class frigate HMCS Vancouver was rearmed at the Port of Broome in Western Australia.
This rearmament was the first time the ADF has supported a partner other than the US to conduct this kind of vertical launching system (VLS) rearmament activity in Australia, and also the first instance of such an activity occurring in northern Australia.
Commander Joint Operations Command, Vice Admiral Justin Jones, AO, CSC, RAN, said the activity was an example of the increasing size, scale and complexity of activities the ADF was conducting around its northern bases with key partners.
“This activity builds on previous rearmament activities with our key partners last year. After participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre and Exercise Malabar, the USS Rafael Peraltacompleted a live ordnance reload in Eden, Australia,” Vice Admiral Jones said.
“Utilising Darwin and Broome to rearm Australian, US and Canadian warships with VLS munitions is a significant achievement for the ADF.”
The rearmament took place after Exercise Kakadu, the Royal Australian Navy’s flagship regional international engagement activity. VLS is the main launch system for missiles fired from modern warships, such as those that participated in the exercise.
This activity was conducted with the aid of the Royal Australian Air Force, Australian, Canadian and US ammunition-loading experts, as well as support from the Port of Darwin and Port of Broome.
The northern Australia rearmament demonstrated the ADF’s growing interoperability and ability to provide logistics support to regional operations.
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