Australia announces $7B for SM-2, SM-6 missiles in huge munitions purchase
HMAS Sydney fires Royal Australian Navy’s first Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) near Hawaii during Exercise Pacific Dragon 2024. (ADF LSIS Daniel Goodman)
SYDNEY — Australia has announced a significant $7 billion AUD) investment in SM-2 IIIC and SM-6 missiles, boosting the Navy’s long-range precision capabilities and strengthening its defence against ballistic missile threats. This purchase underscores the country’s commitment to modernizing its naval defences with US-made advanced missile systems.
Defence Minister Richard Marles highlighted the strategic importance of these weapons in enhancing Australia’s defence capacity. “The Standard Missile 6 and Standard Missile 2 Block IIIC will enable our Navy to strike maritime, land, and air targets at long range, providing a terminal ballistic missile defence capability,” Marles said in a statement. He added that these systems will be deployed on Hobart-class destroyers and the future Hunter-class frigates, enhancing the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) ability to protect national interests.
Australia’s recent investment comes after the successful test firing of an SM-6 missile from the HMAS Sydney, demonstrating the Navy’s growing operational capability. Pat Conroy, the Minister for Defence Procurement, emphasized the strength of Australia’s alliance with the United States, noting that Australia was the first country outside the US to fire an SM-6 missile.
The SM-2 IIIC, with its active seeker technology, brings enhanced defensive capabilities against missile threats. Meanwhile, the SM-6 provides extended range for Australia’s missile defence, giving the Navy greater depth and versatility in responding to potential threats.
This development builds on years of cooperation between Australia and the US in missile technology. In 2021, the US State Department approved a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) case valued at $350 million USD for services related to future purchases of the SM-6 and SM-2 IIIC missiles. Although the new investment is not explicitly stated as an FMS case, it is likely that it includes essential elements like training, spare parts, and manuals, managed by the US government as an intermediary between Raytheon, the manufacturer, and Australia.
The SM-2 missile had experienced a production hiatus in 2013 due to declining international demand but resumed production in 2020. More than 12,000 SM-2 missiles have been delivered worldwide to countries including Canada, Germany, Japan, Korea, and Spain. Australia has operated earlier versions of the SM-2 since 2010.
The Australian order is expected to bolster the SM-2 and SM-6 production lines, supporting broader missile production efforts. The US Navy, which also relies on these missiles, has faced challenges in meeting missile procurement demands, with planned production rates lower than in previous decades. Australia’s investment is poised to strengthen both nations’ missile defence capabilities in the coming years.
