Australia Conducts First Test-Firing of U.S. Tomahawk Missile

The Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Brisbane successfully launched the missile off the U.S. West Coast, marking a significant advancement in its military capabilities.

The test-firing on December 3 makes Australia the third nation, after the U.S. and U.K., to acquire and use the Tomahawk cruise missile.
The Tomahawk missile, with a range of up to 1,550 miles, enables long-range precision strikes against land targets, enhancing Australia's deterrence capabilities.
Australia plans to purchase over 200 Tomahawk missiles as part of a $7 billion naval expansion to increase its fleet to 26 major surface combatant ships.
The missile test aligns with broader efforts to modernize Australia's defense capabilities, including acquiring U.S.-designed nuclear-powered submarines and other advanced weaponry.
Officials describe the acquisition of Tomahawks as a 'game-changer' for the Royal Australian Navy, significantly boosting its strike range and operational flexibility.