Australia has officially become one of the few countries, alongside the US and the UK, capable of launching the Tomahawk cruise missile, known for its precision and extensive range of over 2,500 kilometers.
The Royal Australian Navy successfully test-fired the missile for the first time from HMAS Brisbane, the second of three Hobart-class destroyers, during a test and evaluation event conducted “off the west coast of the United States,” according to a recent statement.
Defense Minister Richard Marles highlighted that this initial Tomahawk firing “demonstrates the strength of our alliance and defense cooperation with the United States, in support of a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.”
Australia is investing $1.3 billion AUD (approximately $830 million USD) to acquire “more than” 200 cruise missiles. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) noted that these will be introduced into service much sooner than initially planned. The missiles will be launched from Hobart-class destroyers, Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines, and potentially from Hunter-class frigates.
“This Tomahawk firing follows earlier firings of the Naval Strike Missile and Standard Missile 6 this year and is a practical demonstration of the speed at which the Albanese Government is enhancing the lethality of the Navy’s surface combatant fleet,” the MoD stated.
Pat Conroy, minister for defense procurement, described the Tomahawk as “the jewel in the crown and a significant enhancement in our firepower, deterrence, and capability to strike land-based targets at unprecedented ranges for the Royal Australian Navy.” He emphasized that this initiative is not only about maintaining the safety of Australians but also about creating jobs and ensuring a safer future domestically.
In March 2023, the US State Department informed Congress about the potential sale of Tomahawks to Australia, indicating Canberra’s interest in 200 Block V All Up Rounds, and “up to” 20 Block IV versions. The deal also includes the Tactical Tomahawk Weapon Control System (TTWCS) and the Theater Mission Planning Center (TMPC). As part of the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, the package will encompass comprehensive support, including maintenance, spare parts, training, communication equipment, and operational flight testing, with an estimated total cost of $895 million.
Marles affirmed that the procurement of these cruise missiles is aimed at deterring any nations that could pose a threat to Australia. He stated, “By enhancing our own defense capabilities, and by working with partners, we change the calculus for any potential aggressor, ensuring that no state will ever conclude that the benefits of conflict outweigh the risks.”
Following Australia’s acquisition, Japan plans to purchase a larger quantity of Tomahawks, totaling 400 missiles—200 Block IV and 200 Block V—as well as 14 control systems, complete with software, hardware, training, and additional components, at an estimated cost of $2.4 billion.
