, - The said on Saturday, August 10, 2024, it had for the first time test-fired a Raytheon (RTX.N) SM-6 missile from a ship, a major step in acquiring and integrating the air-defence weapon into its inventory. The HMAS Sydney conducted the test near the U.
S. state of Hawaii as part of the Pacific Dragon 2024 exercise, Australia's defence ministry said, calling it a "significant milestone" in a deal first approved in 2021. The SM-6 is the most advanced naval air defence in the U.
S. arsenal, including against ballistic missiles, and has also been tested for striking ships and ground targets, and in air-to-air scenarios. “This is another example of the acceleration in acquisitions of critical capabilities for the Navy," said Pat Conroy, Australia's minister for defence industry and capability delivery.
“The ability to deter an adversary from extended ranges and to deter attempts to project power against Australia is a core part of the National Defence Strategy.” Australia has been working to bolster its military capabilities in the face of rising tensions with China, including U.S.
-funded improvements in bases. Expanding the area that a ship can defend forces adversaries to operate farther away and enables the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) to push deeper into contested waters if there is a conflict. In March, Australia helped with a separate U.
S. SM-6 test by providing data collection, communications and tracking, according to the U.S.
Missile Defence Agency. The Australian .