--- title: "Australian Navy Fires Tomahawk Cruise Missile For The First Time" description: "Australia has become just the third country to launch a [Tomahawk land-attack cruise missile]() (TLAM) after the [Royal Australian Navy’s]() (RAN) [*Hobart*]() class destroyer [*HMAS Brisbane*]() (DDG-41) successfully test fired the long-range weapon for the first time during its current…" date: "2024-12-09" modified: "2024-12-09" authors: - name: "Geoff Ziezulewicz" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/geoff-ziezulewicz" url: "https://www.twz.com/sea/australian-navy-fires-tomahawk-cruise-missile-for-the-first-time" categories: - "AEGIS Combat System" - "Around The Globe" - "Australia" - "Destroyers" - "Indo-Pacific" - "Land Attack Cruise Missiles" - "Naval Munitions" - "Navies" - "News & Features" - "R/UGM-109 Tomahawk" - "Royal Australian Navy" - "Sea" --- # Australian Navy Fires Tomahawk Cruise Missile For The First Time ![HMAS Brisbane fires a Tomahawk Weapon System off of the cost of San Diego, United States of America.]() *(Royal Australian Navy)* Australia has become just the third country to launch a [Tomahawk land-attack cruise missile]() (TLAM) after the [Royal Australian Navy’s]() (RAN) [*Hobart*]() class destroyer [*HMAS Brisbane*]() (DDG-41) successfully test fired the long-range weapon for the first time during its current deployment off San Diego, the RAN announced Monday. Australia now joins the United States and the United Kingdom in having the capability. The test fire comes as *Brisbane* is in the midst of a so-called “interchangeability deployment” off the American West Coast, and the X account [WarshipCam]() spotted the destroyer pulling in and out of [Naval Base San Diego]() over the past week. *Brisbane* spending time in SoCal reflects the ever-deepening military ties between Washington and Canberra. The [TLAM’s 1,000-mile range]() instantly beefs up the RAN’s firepower over great maritime distances, a welcomed capability should war with China break out. They can strike ships or shore targets, and they would be a very well-proven standoff weapon in a fight where Beijing seeks to keep the United States and its allies at a distance via anti-access defenses. Tomahawks can also [loiter over a target]() or be tasked to hit another target mid-flight via a satellite data link. Australia isn't the only nation in China's vicinity to pursue Tomahawk missiles. Japan inked a $2.35 billion deal with the United States to acquire 400 of the missiles and support equipment in January 2024, *[USNI News]()* reported then. “The successful test firing of the Tomahawk missile demonstrates the strength of our alliance and defence cooperation with the United States, in support of a peaceful, stable and prosperous region," Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister [Richard Marles]() said in a statement. "By enhancing our own Defence capabilities, and by working with partners, we change the calculus for any potential aggressor so that no state will ever conclude the benefits of conflict outweigh the risks. ![HMAS Brisbane fires a Tomahawk Weapon System off the coast of San Diego, USA.]() *HMAS *Brisbane* fires its first TLAM. (Royal Australian Navy) (Royal Australian Navy)* The three-ship *Hobart* class–which in addition to *Brisbane* includes the class namesake, [HMAS *Hobart*]() (DDG-40), as well as the destroyer [*HMAS Sydney*]() (DDG-42), is a sound home for the Tomahawk. The 7,700-tons displacement warships were all commissioned between 2017 and 2020 and are considered Australia’s most modern and capable surface combatants, even as the force moves on plans that would grow the fleet via smaller frigates and [optionally crewed warships]() loaded with missiles. [Go here]() to read *TWZ’s* past coverage of that vision. Australia is looking to buy more than 200 Tomahawks, both for their *Hobart* class destroyers and for future platforms, the defense ministry said. The [U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency]() announced last year that the ally had requested to buy up to 200 Tomahawk Block V All Up Rounds, and 20 Tomahawk Block IV All Up Rounds, as well as the associated equipment required to field them, for $895 million. Aside from Tomahawks, it’s been a time of change and new capabilities for the *Hobart* class in recent years. The *Sydney* successfully fired an anti-ship Naval Strike Missile (NSM) in August 2024 during the multinational [Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise](), Richard Thomas at [*Naval Technology* reported](). The NSM, with its [stealthy design]() and secondary land-attack capability has been gaining in popularity with [fleets around the globe](), [including America’s](), and replaces the [Harpoon anti-ship missile]() aboard those Australian warships. It is slated to be installed on the destroyers and the *Anzac*-class frigates under a deal inked in 2023, [*USNI News* reported](). ![HMAS Sydney fires Royal Australian Navy’s first Naval Strike Missile during a SINKEX off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii as a part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024.]() **HMAS Sydney* (DDG-42) fires a Naval Strike Missile as part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024. (Royal Australian Navy) LSIS Daniel Goodman* *Hobart* successfully fired a [SM-2 Standard Missile]() [for the first time]() in 2019, [according to the Australian government](). In August 2024, [*Sydney* fired Australia’s first]() [SM-6 missile]() as well. That missile will be “progressively deployed” aboard the class and on future *Hunter* class frigates, [according to the government](). [The SM-6]() is the only missile capable of taking on anti-air, anti-surface, strike and elements of ballistic missile defense, according to past [*TWZ* reporting]() and its manufacturer, [Raytheon](). [It was also reportedly used]() by a U.S. Navy destroyer to take out a Houthi [anti-ship ballistic missile]() (ASBM). And as cutting-edge munitions come online for the *Hobart* class, the three ships have already been readied by [Lockheed Martin]() to receive enhanced combat systems. [The company announced]() in November 2023 that it had upgraded the class’ design architecture to support [Aegis Combat System]() Baseline 9 capabilities. Baseline 9 will allow the *Hobart* class to defend against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and enemy aircraft simultaneously, [*TWZ* previously reported](). [*USNI News* reported]() in May 2024 that the Baseline 9 upgrade work will begin in 2026. [Public records]() show the *Hobart* class currently sporting [Aegis baseline 7.1](). ![A Tomahawk Weapon System fired from HMAS Brisbane off the coast of San Diego, USA, in flight toward it's target. Screenshot from video capture.]() *A Tomahawk missile fired from Australia's *HMAS Brisbane* (DDG041) heads for its target. (Royal Australian Navy) U.S. Navy* The destroyers also feature 48 [Mark 41 Vertical Launch System]() (VLS) cells, which, along with SM-2 and SM-6 missiles, also pack medium-range surface-to-air [RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles]() (ESSMs). The ships are also fitted with a [Mark 45 5-inch main gun](), [MU90 torpedoes](), two [25mm M242 Bushmaster]() chain guns and a [Phalanx Close-In Weapons System]() (CIWS). While it remains unclear when the *Hobart* class will have all its newer Aegis and weapons systems in place, *Brisbane’s* deployment turned historic when it fired the Tomahawk. [Australian Defence reported]() that the ship will be home after Christmas following a five-month, so-called “interchangeability deployment.” ![A Tomahawk Weapon System fired from HMAS Brisbane off the coast of San Diego, USA, moments before impacting it's target. Screenshot from video capture.]() *A Tomahawk missile fired from Australia's *HMAS Brisbane*, moments before impacting it's target. (Royal Australian Navy) U.S. Navy* [Australia’s 2021 announcement ]()that it would buy Tomahawks from the U.S. for its *Hobart* class came a day after the U.S., U.K. and Australia [announced plans]() to provide the RAN with nuclear-powered attack submarines under a trilateral agreement known as [AUKUS](). [*TWZ* has previously reported]() what [AUKUS]() will mean for Australia’s undersea capabilities, which will involve nuclear-powered boats armed with conventional weapons: “*The U.S. plans to sell Australia between three to five Virginia class submarines that carry Tomahawks loaded in* [*vertical launch tubes systems (VLS)*]()*. However, the first of those boats won’t be delivered until the early 2030s, pending Congressional approval.* *The new class of SSN AUKUS will also have VLS tubes capable of launching Tomahawks, but they are not currently scheduled for delivery to RAN* [*until the early 2040s*]()*.”* While the Australian subs are still years away, AUKUS has already produced increased ties, including American boats stopping for maintenance Down Under. The *Virginia* class sub [*USS Hawaii*]() (SSN 776) was [the first U.S. boat to do so]() in August 2024. In addition to turning western Australia’s [HMS Stirling naval base]() into a nuclear sub hub, [rotational deployments]() are also being planned there for American and British boats. ![HMAS STIRLING, Western Australia, Australia (Sep. 10, 2024) — USS Hawaii (SSN 776) departs HMAS Stirling Sept. 10, marking the conclusion of a historic submarine maintenance period in Western Australia. As part of the Australia, United Kingdom, United States (AUKUS) Pillar 1 effort, Royal Australian Navy personnel assigned to submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) worked alongside their U.S. Navy counterparts to make repairs on the U.S. Virginia-class SSN in Australia during a multi-week Submarine Tendered Maintenance Period, or STMP. (U.S. Navy photo by Rory O'Connor)]() *The *Virginia* class attack submarine *USS Hawaii* (SSN-776) departs Australia's HMAS Stirling base after undergoing maintenance. (U.S. Navy) Lt.Cmdr. Rick Moore* To prepare for their own nuclear fleet, the first cohort of Australian officers has gone through the [U.S. Navy’s nuclear education pipeline](), and the first seven enlisted Australian sailors graduated from the [U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Power School]() in October 2024. Meanwhile, Australian entry into club Tomahawk appears to be restricted solely to the *Hobart* class destroyers for now. Canberra announced in June 2024 that its six [*Collins* class]() diesel-electric attack submarines won’t be getting the TLAM capability, which will leave the RAN’s undersea force with a firepower gap for years to come, [*TWZ* previously reported](). You can read more about that decision [here](). *Brisbane’s* Tomahawk firing once again showcases how Beijing’s rapidly advancing military capabilities have pushed traditional Western allies even closer together. Judging by the comments of some AUKUS nation leaders around the globe, that potential is not far over the horizon. "We are doing everything humanly and legally possible to optimise the Royal Australian Navy’s surface combatant fleet as quickly as possible, as directed by the Australian Government,” [*Australian Defence*]() quoted Australian Navy Chief Hammond as saying Monday. *Contact the author: geoff@twz.com* ### Author social links [Twitter]()