The Royal Australian Navy fired its first Standard Missile 6 on Saturday during Exercise Pacific Dragon 2024. The acquisition is part of an initiative to improve Australia’s lethality and long-range strike capability.
The SM-6 was fired from the HMAS Sydney during Exercise Pacific Dragon 2024. After the activity, the missile will be deployed across the service’s Hobart-class destroyers and Hunter-class frigates.
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said the SM-6 firing reflects the Albanese government’s dedication to equipping battlefield-ready warfighters.
“Standard Missile 6 is being acquired from the United States and will provide Navy’s surface combatants with an enhanced air and missile defense capability, increasing the fleet’s lethality and survivability,” the minister said. “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 Defence Strategy.”
The country already has three guided missile destroyers and will soon have the Aegis Baseline 9 combat system.
Australia’s SM-6 Foreign Military Sales order received approval from the U.S. Department of State in 2021.