Australia to Acquire 1500km Range Tomahawks as Part of A$1.3B Spend on Missiles

Australia has announced plans to buy long-range strike missiles and other guided weapons for A$1.7 billion, including U.S.-made Tomahawk with a range of 1,500km.

Australia will become one of only three nations to possess a Tomahawk long-range strike capability when it purchases more than 200 of the cruise missiles from the United States for the Royal Australian Navy’s Hobart-class destroyers.

The Tomahawk missiles, costing about A$1.3 billion, have a range of 1500km, Australian defence ministry said in a statement.

Australia will also acquire more than 60 AARGM-ER (advanced anti-radiation guided missile – extended range) missiles from the United States for A$431 million.

The air-to-ground missiles, used to target enemy radar systems, will be operated on the Royal Australian Air Force’s Growler and Super Hornet aircraft and, in future, on the F-35A Lightning II fighter jets.

Meanwhile, Army’s Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles will be armed with Spike Long-Range 2 anti-tank guided missiles, which will enable soldiers to engage with the enemy at a range of more than 5km.

Varley Rafael Australia is expected to deliver the first Spike missile early next year, under a contract worth A$50 million, and is developing options for domestic manufacturing.

The announcement of the A$1.7 billion investment came on top of news that the acquisition of HIMARS (high-mobility artillery rocket system) launchers for the ADF will double to 42. The project also includes the precision strike missile (PrSM), which is expected to have a maximum range beyond 500km.