Latest news with #TalismanSabre
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
The US Army fired its new missile system that rattles China in a Western Pacific first. It found its target and sank it.
The US Army fired a Standard Missile-6 from its Mid-Range Capability, or Typhon, system in Australia. The successful live-fire test sank a maritime target. The MRC's deployment in the region has previously and repeatedly irritated China. The US Army fired its new MRC missile system in the Western Pacific for the first time, striking and sinking a maritime target. The Mid-Range Capability, or Typhon, missile system drew China's ire during a previous deployment, with Beijing repeatedly warning that its presence risks escalating tensions. The Army sees the weapon as an essential strike asset that closes a critical capability gap in the region. The Army said on Tuesday that the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force successfully fired a Standard Missile-6 using the versatile MRC launcher and sank an unspecified sea target. The test occurred earlier this month during the joint Talisman Sabre exercise in northern Australia. The service said it was the first time the land-based MRC had been fired west of the international date line, which splits the Pacific Ocean. "The deployment of the MRC and successful execution of a [Standard Missile-6] live fire against a maritime target is another significant step forward in our ability to deploy, integrate, and command and control advanced land-based maritime strike capabilities," Col. Wade Germann, commander of the 3rd MDTF, said. While this was the first live test of the MRC in the region, it has been deployed there before, notably during a joint exercise with the Philippines last year. The MRC is a high-value system for the Army, filling both a capability and range gap by providing a flexible way to fire both the SM-6s and the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile. The MRC's development followed the 2019 US withdrawal from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty over concerns about Russian violations. The treaty banned nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,000 kilometers. The withdrawal, overseen by the first Trump administration and driven by Moscow's SSC-8/9M729 missile, opened the door to the development of previously banned weapons. When the MRC was first deployed to the Philippines, China was quick to express its frustration. In September of last year, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China's foreign military, called the deployment "a move to turn back the wheel of history," adding that "it gravely threatens regional countries' security, incites geopolitical confrontation, and has aroused high vigilance and concerns of countries in the region." Earlier last year, he said that Beijing "strongly opposes the US strengthening forward deployment at China's doorstep." China notably maintains a large arsenal of ballistic missiles, including many intermediate-range systems able to threaten US and allied forces in the region. China also expressed its irritation to the Philippines last year. In August 2024, Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said that his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, had expressed concerns the weapon could destabilize the security and relations of the region and that when they discussed it, China "made it very dramatic." China has warned Manila against igniting an arms race. Beijing has said the Philippines, a key US ally, is serving American interests to the detriment of its own. Manila has expressed interest in the MRC's capabilities as a useful combat capability. China's US embassy didn't immediately respond to BI's request for comment on the test. The MRC is a work in progress for the Army, which is still exploring how best to employ it. During the MRC's deployment to the Philippines, US personnel also tinkered with and reworked the system in the field, according to a Government Accountability Office report earlier this year, providing user input that led to "multiple design changes." The test of the MRC in Australia, the Army said, validated the ability to forward deploy long-range precision fires. It also, Germann added, provided valuable insights and lessons for future land-based maritime strike capabilities. Mobile launchers with the ability to strike targets on land and at sea have tremendous potential in Pacific combat. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
The US Army fired its new missile system that rattles China in a Western Pacific first. It found its target and sank it.
The US Army fired its new MRC missile system in the Western Pacific for the first time, striking and sinking a maritime target. The Mid-Range Capability, or Typhon, missile system drew China's ire during a previous deployment, with Beijing repeatedly warning that its presence risks escalating tensions. The Army sees the weapon as an essential strike asset that closes a critical capability gap in the region. The Army said on Tuesday that the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force successfully fired a Standard Missile-6 using the versatile MRC launcher and sank an unspecified sea target. The test occurred earlier this month during the joint Talisman Sabre exercise in northern Australia. The service said it was the first time the land-based MRC had been fired west of the international date line, which splits the Pacific Ocean. "The deployment of the MRC and successful execution of a [Standard Missile-6] live fire against a maritime target is another significant step forward in our ability to deploy, integrate, and command and control advanced land-based maritime strike capabilities," Col. Wade Germann, commander of the 3rd MDTF, said. While this was the first live test of the MRC in the region, it has been deployed there before, notably during a joint exercise with the Philippines last year. The MRC is a high-value system for the Army, filling both a capability and range gap by providing a flexible way to fire both the SM-6s and the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile. The MRC's development followed the 2019 US withdrawal from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty over concerns about Russian violations. The treaty banned nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,000 kilometers. The withdrawal, overseen by the first Trump administration and driven by Moscow's SSC-8/9M729 missile, opened the door to the development of previously banned weapons. When the MRC was first deployed to the Philippines, China was quick to express its frustration. In September of last year, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China's foreign military, called the deployment "a move to turn back the wheel of history," adding that "it gravely threatens regional countries' security, incites geopolitical confrontation, and has aroused high vigilance and concerns of countries in the region." Earlier last year, he said that Beijing "strongly opposes the US strengthening forward deployment at China's doorstep." China notably maintains a large arsenal of ballistic missiles, including many intermediate-range systems able to threaten US and allied forces in the region. China also expressed its irritation to the Philippines last year. In August 2024, Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said that his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, had expressed concerns the weapon could destabilize the security and relations of the region and that when they discussed it, China "made it very dramatic." China has warned Manila against igniting an arms race. Beijing has said the Philippines, a key US ally, is serving American interests to the detriment of its own. Manila has expressed interest in the MRC's capabilities as a useful combat capability. China's US embassy didn't immediately respond to BI's request for comment on the test. The MRC is a work in progress for the Army, which is still exploring how best to employ it. During the MRC's deployment to the Philippines, US personnel also tinkered with and reworked the system in the field, according to a Government Accountability Office report earlier this year, providing user input that led to "multiple design changes." The test of the MRC in Australia, the Army said, validated the ability to forward deploy long-range precision fires. It also, Germann added, provided valuable insights and lessons for future land-based maritime strike capabilities. Mobile launchers with the ability to strike targets on land and at sea have tremendous potential in Pacific combat.
South China Morning Post
15 hours ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Talisman Sabre: Australia, US push Pacific deterrence amid China's security overtures
For the first time in its history, Australia 's flagship military exercise has moved beyond its own shores, drawing in Pacific island nations as Canberra and Washington push to 'regionalise' strategic deterrence across the Indo-Pacific. Neighbouring Papua New Guinea (PNG) is hosting parts of this year's Talisman Sabre exercise , which began on July 13 and runs until August 4, with activities involving Australian and US troops. 'This is an important demonstration of the deepening integration between Australia and Papua New Guinea's Defence Forces', senior Australian naval officer Vice-Admiral Justin Jones said in a statement, referring to the two countries' militaries. This year's iteration of Talisman Sabre, featuring more than 30,000 personnel from 19 nations, is the largest in the exercise's history. A French servicemen wears a badge displaying the emblem of the 2025 Talisman Sabre exercise aboard the French patrol vessel Auguste Benebig in Sydney on July 13. Photo: AFP Military contingents from Fiji Tonga and a host of other partners – including Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Britain – are taking part in a series of complex drills encompassing live-fire exercises, air combat and maritime operations such as amphibious landings.
Sky News AU
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Angus Taylor suggests Labor ‘fickle' on AUKUS
Opposition defence spokesman Angus Taylor says it is wrong to call the Coalition 'fickle' on AUKUS, but that he cannot say the same about Labor. Mr Taylor was asked on Wednesday to respond to comments made by Jerry Hendrix – the man heading a US ship building blitz in line with Donald Trump's mission to 'restore America's maritime dominance'. Mr Hendrix, a retired US Navy captain, has been vocal in his concerns about Australia's commitment to AUKUS, saying last year 'the Australians have been noticeably fickle', as reported overnight by the Sydney Morning Herald. In a separate criticism, he said the 'challenge for AUKUS' is two-fold. 'First there will be a question of whether the Australian government will sustain their commitment across the coming years and change of (governments),' Mr Hendrix posted on social media. 'Second will be whether the US will actually be willing to give up Virginia class boats.' Speaking to Sky News, Mr Taylor said the 'opposition's position on AUKUS is not fickle at all'. 'It is complete and utter commitment to what is an incredibly important initiative, both tranche one and tranche two – the nuclear submarines as well as the associated technology,' he said. Pressed on the criticism, he repeated his defence but suggested it was a fair shot at the Albanese government. 'The opposition's not fickle, that's for sure,' he said. 'I worry that the government – I think it's not just me worried, I think every expert looking at this is making these comments – they're deeply worried that we're not on our way to having the defence force we need in such an uncertain time. 'We've got authoritarian regimes around the world flexing their muscles.' Mr Taylor was also asked about the Netherlands' defence chief warning Australia should lift its military spending in response to the build up in China. General Onno Eichelsheim was in Australia for Talisman Sabre – annual war games hosted by the Australian Defence Force. He said the country should 'get ready for something that you hope will never happen', drawing parallels between Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China's aggression in the Indo-Pacific. 'You should look at the facts that are around you … if Russia tells us that they want to have more, more influence, then take that seriously,' General Eichelsheim told the ABC. 'And if you see in this case in this region, China building up, take it seriously and get ready for something that you hope will never happen. 'If you prepare for war, you can avoid war. And that's how we look at it.' However, he said percentage of GDP was not the most important measure. Responding to the remarks, Mr Taylor said Australia 'definitely' needed to boost defence spending. 'We need to spend that money better,' he said. 'And (the Coalition has) made a commitment already to get to 3 per cent at least and that is exactly what the government should be doing.' Labor has committed billions in extra defence funding over the next decade, which will push it to about 2.3 per cent of GDP by 2034. But Anthony Albanese and his government have firmly rejected the US' call to boost it to 3.5 per cent, adding to friction with Washington. Originally published as Angus Taylor suggests Labor 'fickle' on AUKUS
West Australian
16 hours ago
- Politics
- West Australian
Angus Taylor suggests Labor ‘fickle' on AUKUS
Opposition defence spokesman Angus Taylor says it is wrong to call the Coalition 'fickle' on AUKUS, but that he cannot say the same about Labor. Mr Taylor was asked on Wednesday to respond to comments made by Jerry Hendrix – the man heading a US ship building blitz in line with Donald Trump's mission to 'restore America's maritime dominance'. Mr Hendrix, a retired US Navy captain, has been vocal in his concerns about Australia's commitment to AUKUS, saying last year 'the Australians have been noticeably fickle', as reported overnight by the Sydney Morning Herald. In a separate criticism, he said the 'challenge for AUKUS' is two-fold. 'First there will be a question of whether the Australian government will sustain their commitment across the coming years and change of (governments),' Mr Hendrix posted on social media. 'Second will be whether the US will actually be willing to give up Virginia class boats.' Speaking to Sky News, Mr Taylor said the 'opposition's position on AUKUS is not fickle at all'. 'It is complete and utter commitment to what is an incredibly important initiative, both tranche one and tranche two – the nuclear submarines as well as the associated technology,' he said. Pressed on the criticism, he repeated his defence but suggested it was a fair shot at the Albanese government. 'The opposition's not fickle, that's for sure,' he said. 'I worry that the government – I think it's not just me worried, I think every expert looking at this is making these comments – they're deeply worried that we're not on our way to having the defence force we need in such an uncertain time. 'We've got authoritarian regimes around the world flexing their muscles.' Mr Taylor was also asked about the Netherlands' defence chief warning Australia should lift its military spending in response to the build up in China. General Onno Eichelsheim was in Australia for Talisman Sabre – annual war games hosted by the Australian Defence Force. He said the country should 'get ready for something that you hope will never happen', drawing parallels between Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China's aggression in the Indo-Pacific. 'You should look at the facts that are around you … if Russia tells us that they want to have more, more influence, then take that seriously,' General Eichelsheim told the ABC. 'And if you see in this case in this region, China building up, take it seriously and get ready for something that you hope will never happen. 'If you prepare for war, you can avoid war. And that's how we look at it.' However, he said percentage of GDP was not the most important measure. Responding to the remarks, Mr Taylor said Australia 'definitely' needed to boost defence spending. 'We need to spend that money better,' he said. 'And (the Coalition has) made a commitment already to get to 3 per cent at least and that is exactly what the government should be doing.' Labor has committed billions in extra defence funding over the next decade, which will push it to about 2.3 per cent of GDP by 2034. But Anthony Albanese and his government have firmly rejected the US' call to boost it to 3.5 per cent, adding to friction with Washington.
