HMAS Sydney fires the navy’s first SM-6 missile in August. Picture: Department of Defence
Australia has signed a $7 billion deal with the United States for state-of-the-art long-range naval missiles.
The new Standard Missile 2 Block IIIC (SM-2 IIIC) and Standard Missile‑6 (SM-6) are among the most advanced air and missile defence weapons in the world, according to the Department of Defence.
They will be progressively deployed across the navy’s Hobart class destroyers and future Hunter class frigates. This follows the recent successful test firing of a SM-6 missile from HMAS Sydney.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles says the deal is a sign of his government accelerating the growing capabilities of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and of the strikepower of the navy’s surface fleet.
“The Standard Missile‑6 and Standard Missile 2 Block IIIC will enable our navy to strike maritime, land and air targets at long-range, and provide a terminal ballistic missile defence capability, boosting the capacity for the ADF to safeguard Australians and their interests,” he says.
The Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy says the deal comes at a time of increasing strategic tensions.
“Australia faces the most complex geo-strategic environment since the Second World War,” he says.
“Our investment in these world-leading, high-tech missiles is another example of the Albanese Government moving fast to keep Australians safe, deter any adversary, and defend Australia’s national interests in the missile age.”
He points out that Australia is the first country to fire the SM-6 missile.
The SM-2 IIIC features active seeker technology and significantly boosted anti-missile capabilities.
The SM-6 missile features extended range air defence capability against air and missile threats, an offensive anti-ship capability and for the first time, a terminal ballistic missile defence capability.
The department says the SM-2 IIIC and SM-6 will complement the navy’s existing capabilities, such as ESSM Block 2 and Naval Strike Missile, as part of a layered strike and missile defence capability.
