Australia fires first HIMARS long-range rocket in war game with U.S.

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.

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