Australia to arm warships with ‘sharper’ weapons
Australia will add much more capable missiles to its warships, in response to the growing threat posed by more belligerent state actors such as China and, to a lesser extent, North Korea.
Surface combatants and submarines of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) will be potently sharpened with a range of new weaponry such as long-range anti-ship missiles, as Canberra seriously considers the regional threat environment.
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds announced on 25 January that A$1 billion ($770 million) will be spent on ‘leading-edge long-range anti-ship missiles [AShM], extended-range surface-to-air missiles [SAM], advanced lightweight torpedoes and maritime land strike capabilities’.
Reynolds stated that the new AShMs and SAMs would reach a range in excess of 370km, while land attack cruise missiles (LACM) would have a 1,500km range ‘to project and maintain sea control’.
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![South Korea advances next-gen naval concepts for future force needs]()
South Korea advances next-gen naval concepts for future force needs
HHI and Hanwha Ocean outline highly autonomous and unmanned-enabled designs as the ROKN explores force structure for the 2030s and beyond.
-
![US representatives plan to invest $1.6 billion in US Coast Guard inventory in FY2026]()
US representatives plan to invest $1.6 billion in US Coast Guard inventory in FY2026
The FY26 Homeland Security Bill Markup of the House Committee on Appropriations included resources for the procurement of ships, aircraft and unmanned systems.
-
![US Navy seeks industry partners to address pressing research needs]()
US Navy seeks industry partners to address pressing research needs
The Office of Naval Research will host an Industry Engagement Day in August aiming at building new partnerships and advancing its science and technology initiatives in multiple areas.
-
![Raytheon awarded $1.2 billion in contracts for AN/SPY-6(V) radars for the US Navy]()
Raytheon awarded $1.2 billion in contracts for AN/SPY-6(V) radars for the US Navy
Under the most recent contract, the US Navy will receive four additional AN/SPY-6(V) radars, increasing the number of radars under contract to 42. The radars are considered key for expanding the navy’s capability for air defence.
-
![Royal Canadian Navy’s final Harry DeWolf-class vessel to be delivered this summer]()
Royal Canadian Navy’s final Harry DeWolf-class vessel to be delivered this summer
The sixth Canada’s Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship is currently at the final stages of construction within Irving Shipbuilding.
