Australian Navy’s destroyer fires SM-6 for the first time (Gallery)

August 14, 2024, by Fatima Bahtić

HMAS Sydney, the Royal Australian Navy’s Hobart-class destroyer which was commissioned in 2020, has fired a Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) for the first time.

The firing of Standard Missile 6 was conducted during Exercise Pacific Dragon 2024, in the vicinity of Hawaii, and follows HMAS Sydney’s first-of-class firing of a naval strike missile during exercise RIMPAC 2024 in July.

The Standard Missile 6 complements the Standard Missile 2 already in service.

Before returning to Australia later this year, HMAS Sydney will also conduct a regional presence deployment.

Royal Australian Navy

“This is another example of the acceleration in acquisitions of critical capabilities for the Navy that enhances lethality within the surface combatant fleet and the capacity for the ADF to safeguard Australians and their interests,” Minister of Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy, said.

“Standard Missile 6 is being acquired from the United States and will provide Navy’s surface combatants with an enhanced air and missile defence capability, increasing the fleet’s lethality and survivability. 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.”

“HMAS Sydney’s first-of-class firings of both Naval Strike Missile and Standard Missile 6 in less than a month is a clear demonstration of Navy’s intent to deliver on our commitment to accelerate our ability to support Defence’s strategy of denial in concert with our key Allies and partners,” Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, commented.

“Delivering on both of these key milestones in this accelerated timeframe is a testament to the hard work and dedication of a committed team of people from across Navy, Defence, industry and international partners.”

Hobart-class DDGs are based on the Navantia-designed F100 frigate and fitted with the Aegis Combat System. The Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance constructed the ships in Australia.

The ships provide air defence for accompanying ships, land forces and infrastructure in coastal areas, and for self-protection against missiles and aircraft. The surface warfare function includes long-range anti-ship missiles and a naval gun capable of firing extended-range munitions in support of land forces.

They also conduct undersea warfare and are equipped with modern sonar systems, decoys, surface-launched torpedoes and an array of effective close-in defensive weapons.