Australia has fired a HIMARS long-range rocket system on its own territory for the first time during joint military exercises with the United States and Singapore.
The truck-mounted High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), capable of striking targets up to 400 kilometres away, has seen increased demand among U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific, especially amid growing security concerns related to China’s military expansion.
The live-fire demonstration marked the beginning of 'Talisman Sabre,' Australia’s largest military exercise, involving up to 40,000 personnel from 19 countries, including the U.S., Japan, France, South Korea, and Singapore. The drills, which span thousands of kilometres from Christmas Island to the Coral Sea, featured HIMARS launches and U.S. F-35B fighter jet activity in northern Queensland.
Brigadier Nick Wilson, head of the joint live-fire component, confirmed this was the first time Australia had used HIMARS on its soil and the first joint HIMARS launch involving Australia, Singapore, and the U.S. He emphasised that integrating HIMARS with other systems would enhance Australia’s strategy of deterrence to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
The exercise at Shoalwater Bay was observed by Governor General Sam Mostyn and Defence Chief Admiral David Johnston. Australia, which received its first two HIMARS vehicles from Lockheed Martin in April, plans to deploy these systems across the region to safeguard its northern approaches in any future conflict. The country is investing AU$74 billion (US$49 billion) over the next decade in missile capabilities, including domestic production.
U.S. Army Lieutenant General Joel Vowell highlighted the importance of regional cooperation, stating that Talisman Sabre acts as a deterrent, with the ultimate objective being to prevent conflict.
A powerful explosion has been reported at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, raising fresh concerns over aviation security in Saudi Arabi...
At least 12 people, including three children, have been killed in a Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, a day after U.S. Presiden...
Turkic states are assessing the feasibility of passport-free travel between countries using national ID cards, Kürşad Zorlu, the Deputy Chair...
Leaders of countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have agreed to hold coordinated population censuses around 2030. They took the decision at the CIS Council of Heads of State meeting in Awaza, Turkmenistan on Friday, media reported.
Britain and Israel have reached a temporary compromise over the future of the British Consulate General in East Jerusalem, easing a diplomatic dispute that had threatened to further strain relations between the two countries.
South African judge Navanethem “Navi” Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday “for her efforts to promote peace and international law,” the Norwegian Nobel Committee said.
The Nobel Peace Prize 2026 will be announced on Friday, 9 October, bringing one of the world's most closely watched awards back into focus.
The U.S. has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday (9 October) escalating tensions with European allies and potentially targeting companies that provide services to the tribunal. The move came hours after former ICC judge Navi Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize.
At least 12 people, including three children, have been killed in a Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a deal to ease sanctions on Russian diesel.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticised U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports, questioning why Moscow was granted an economic benefit without an apparent concession towards ending the war in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed surprise after Donald Trump mediated the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement in 2025, the U.S. President said at a rally in New York state on Friday.
The United Nations has condemned a sharp rise in attacks on civilians in Ukraine, reporting that more than 100 people were killed and at least 429 injured in a single week as Russian strikes hit residential areas, passenger buses and critical infrastructure.
Air quality in Singapore plunged to “very unhealthy” levels on Friday, 9 October, as thick haze engulfed the city-state ahead of Sunday's Formula One Grand Prix, while Max Verstappen claimed pole position for Saturday's Sprint race.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment