Tomahawk Missile: An Australian navy ship has successfully tested a US-made Tomahawk cruise missile, marking an important step in the country’s long-term plan to strengthen its naval fleet amid growing military competition in the Asia-Pacific region.
The missile was launched by HMAS Brisbane on December 3 off the west coast of the United States, according to a statement from the Australian government. This achievement makes Australia one of only three nations, along with the US and Britain, to have both acquired and fired the Tomahawk missile.
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“This is a big milestone for the Royal Australian Navy as it works to build a stronger and more advanced fleet,” the statement said.
According to Thedefensepost, The Tomahawk missile, with a range of up to 2,500 kilometers (about 1,550 miles), allows ships to carry out precise long-distance attacks on land targets.
Australia’s defense officials said the missile greatly boosts their ability to deter potential threats.
Defense Minister Richard Marles added that building up Australia’s military strength and cooperating with allies would make any potential aggressor think twice before acting.
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Australia recently tested the Tomahawk missile as part of its larger plan to grow its navy. Earlier this year, the government announced a $7 billion investment to increase the fleet of major surface combat ships from 11 to 26.
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The country also plans to buy over 200 Tomahawk missiles to equip some of its warships. This naval expansion is happening as China and other nations in the Asia-Pacific region increase their military strength.
Back in 2021, Australia decided to go for US-made nuclear-powered submarines, dropping a previous deal to build non-nuclear subs with France. These Virginia-class submarines will use nuclear power but won’t have nuclear weapons. Instead, they’ll be equipped with long-range cruise missiles.
