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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Industry Richard Marles and Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy have announced a $7 billion acquisition to acquire state-of-the-art long-range missiles.
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This multibillion acquisition of the Standard Missile 2 Block IIIC (SM-2 IIIC) and Standard Missile‑6 (SM-6) marks a milestone in the government’s rapid progress in boosting the long-range strike and defensive capability of the Royal Australian Navy’s surface combatant fleet.
The SM-2 IIIC and SM-6 are described as the “most advanced air and missile defence weapons in the world” and will be progressively deployed across Navy’s Hobart Class destroyers and in the future, the Hunter Class frigates.
Minister Marles welcomed this announcement, saying, “This is another example of the Albanese government accelerating the acquisition of critical capabilities for the Australian Defence Force and enhancing the lethality of Navy’s surface combatant fleet.”
This announcement follows the recent successful test firing of an SM-6 from HMAS Sydney, demonstrating the growing lethality and defensive capabilities of the Hobart Class fleet of destroyers.
“The Standard Missile‑6 and Standard Missile 2 Block IIIC will enable our Navy to strike maritime, land and air targets at long-range, and provide a terminal ballistic missile defence capability, boosting the capacity for the ADF to safeguard Australians and their interests,” Minister Marles said.
Both the SM-2 IIIC and SM-6 incorporate a host of advanced technologies that are designed to greatly enhance the lethality and effectiveness of our Navy ships in line with the National Defence Strategy and the Independent Analysis into Navy’s Surface Combatant Fleet.
Minister Conroy expanded on the Deputy Prime Minister’s statements, saying, “Our investment in these world-leading, high-tech missiles is another example of the Albanese government moving fast to keep Australians safe, deter any adversary, and defend Australia’s national interests in the missile age.”
The SM-2 IIIC brings active seeker technology and significantly enhanced defensive capabilities against missile threats. Meanwhile, the SM-6 missile will provide Australia with extended range air defence capability against air and missile threats, an offensive anti-ship capability and for the first time, a terminal ballistic missile defence capability.
“Australia was the first country, other than the United States, to fire the SM-6 missile, underscoring the strength of our alliance,” Minister Conroy said.
Ohad Katz, managing director of Raytheon Australia, original equipment manufacturer of both the SM-2 IIIC and SM-6 missiles, welcomed this announcement, saying, “Raytheon Australia welcomes the Australian government’s announcement today to further increase the lethality of its naval surface fleet through the acquisition of additional Raytheon Standard Missiles (SM-2 and SM-6). This is a significant milestone that supports Australia’s strategy of denial and deterrence against potential adversaries, while also supporting a foundation for regional stability.
"As a strategic partner in the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise, we engage regularly with the Australian government and Defence to ensure that we are doing our part to grow Australia’s strong industrial base that will be critical to support national security outcomes for decades to come.”
The SM-2 IIIC and SM-6 complement existing capabilities such as ESSM Block 2 and Naval Strike Missile as part of a layered strike and missile defence capability for Navy’s surface combatant fleet.
