The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) HMAS Sydney has conducted a successful firing of a Standard Missile 6, representing a step-change in the lethality, air and missile defence, and long-range strike capability of Navy’s surface combatant fleet. The Standard Missile 6 will be progressively deployed across Navy’s Hobart class destroyers and, in the future, the Hunter class frigates. The Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) or RIM-174 Standard Extended Range Active Missile (ERAM) was designed for extended-range anti-air warfare (ER-AAW) purposes, providing capability against fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, anti-ship cruise missiles. This is another significant milestone in enhancing the lethality of Navy’s surface combatant fleet, consistent with the Albanese Government’s National Defence Strategy and the Independent Analysis into Navy’s Surface Combatant Fleet. In response to Australia’s challenging strategic circumstances, the Albanese Government is enhancing deterrence by rapidly boosting the Navy’s long-range strike capabilities and providing greater capacity to strike maritime, land and air targets at longer distances.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy: “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. 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.”
Quotes attributable to the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, AO, RAN: “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. 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.”
The addition of the Standard Missile 6 augments integrated air and missile defence capable platforms. Australia has three guided missile destroyers (DDG) in service and will add the Aegis Baseline 9 combat system which will provide the ability to counter airborne threats, including ballistic missiles. The ADF is also establishing the underpinning architecture to connect active missile defence systems through the development of the Joint Air Battle Management System which provides the foundation for further capabilities to be added over time. The firing of Standard Missile 6 was conducted during Exercise Pacific Dragon 2024, in vicinity of Hawaii, and follows HMAS Sydney’s successful 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.
