Australia Accelerates Development of Homegrown Loitering Munitions

The Australian Government has launched Mission Talon Strike to fast-track the development of precision loitering munitions for the Australian Defence Force (ADF), the Department of Defence announced this week.

Under the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA), Mission Talon Strike will support the design and production of medium-range loitering munition systems equipped with kinetic payloads and precision strike capabilities comparable to guided missiles. These systems are expected to enhance the ADF’s ability to address evolving battlefield threats with greater accuracy and speed.

The launch of Mission Talon Strike comes just one week after ASCA issued an approach to market for Mission Syracuse, an effort to strengthen the ADF’s counter-drone capabilities. Mission Syracuse will focus on integrating advanced technologies with existing counter small uncrewed aerial systems (C-sUAS).

Together, these missions mark a coordinated effort to develop sovereign solutions through partnerships with Australian industry and leading research organisations. According to the Defence Department, these initiatives are essential to ensuring the ADF remains prepared to meet both current and future strategic challenges.

Australia-based defense company Innovaero recently expanded its loitering munitions program with two new drone variants—OWL X and OWL A—unveiled at Avalon 2025. OWL A is a mid-weight system with a 1.5kg warhead, 45km range, and full ISR capabilities. The OWL X prototype represents the next phase in development, while the upgraded OWL B has improved guidance and has completed live-fire trials with the Australian Army.