The HMAS Sydney conducted the test near the US state of Hawaii as part of the Pacific Dragon 2024 exercise, Australia's defense ministry said, calling it a "significant milestone" in a deal first approved in 2021, Reuters reported. The SM-6 is the most advanced naval air defense missile in the US 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 defense 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 Defense Strategy.” Australia has been working to bolster its military capabilities in the face of rising tensions with China, including US-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 US Missile Defense Agency.
The Australian government has not said how many of the missiles they are planning to buy from the United States. But when the foreign military sale was approved in 2021, US government documents show an estim.