Australia invests $1.7 Bn in Tomahawk and Spike LR missiles.

On August 21, 2023, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) announced a significant investment in advanced weapons systems. The goal of this investment is to enhance Australia's ability to target adversaries from greater distances, ensuring the nation's security and sovereignty.
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Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles will be armed with Spike Long-Range 2 anti-tank guided missiles (Picture source: Australian DoD )

One of the most notable acquisitions is the Tomahawk long-range strike capability. Australia is set to join an exclusive group of nations with this capability by purchasing over 200 Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States. These missiles, intended for the Royal Australian Navy's Hobart-class destroyers, come with a price tag of approximately $1.3 billion and have a range of 1500 kilometers. More details about this can be found in an article from Navy Recognition dated August 21, 2023. In addition to the Tomahawk missiles, the ADF will also purchase over 60 AARGM-ER (advanced anti-radiation guided missiles - extended range) at a cost of $431 million. These air-to-ground missiles, designed to target enemy radar systems, will be integrated into the Royal Australian Air Force's fleet, including the Growler, Super Hornet, and the upcoming F-35A Lightning II fighter jets.

On the ground, the Army's Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles will be equipped with Spike Long-Range 2 (Spike LR2) anti-tank guided missiles. This upgrade will empower soldiers to engage adversaries from distances exceeding five kilometers. Varley Rafael Australia is expected to deliver the first batch of these Spike missiles next year, with a contract valued at $50 million. Furthermore, discussions are ongoing about potential domestic manufacturing options.

The Spike-LR2 is an anti-tank guided missile of Israeli manufacture, designed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. It is an enhanced version of the Spike-LR missile, with extended range and advanced guidance capabilities. The Spike-LR2 is used by many countries worldwide and has been deployed in various conflicts, including the 2006 Lebanon War, the War in Afghanistan, and the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict.

The Spike-LR2 is a 14kg missile, measuring 1,200mm in length and 130mm in diameter. It is designed to be launched from the ground and comes equipped with a Command & Launch Unit (CLU) weighing 5kg, a tripod weighing 2.8kg, a 1kg battery, and a 4kg thermal sight. The missile is ready to launch in 30 seconds and can be reloaded in 15 seconds.

The Spike-LR2 boasts an effective range of 200 to 5,500 meters, making it ideal for long-range operations. It is equipped with a tandem-charge HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank) warhead and a piezoelectric trigger detonation mechanism. The missile is powered by a solid-propellant rocket engine.

The Spike-LR2's guidance system is particularly advanced. It uses infrared homing and electro-optical (CCD, imaging infrared (IIR), or dual CCD/IIR) for guidance. The missile can also be equipped with a passive CCD seeker or a dual CCD/IIR seeker. The Spike-LR2 is fitted with a 10x optical sight for enhanced targeting accuracy.

The Spike-LR2 is a cutting-edge anti-tank missile, designed to offer exceptional accuracy and range. It is used by numerous countries globally and has been deployed in various conflicts, attesting to its reliability and effectiveness on the battlefield.

This announcement complements the earlier news about the doubling of the acquisition of HIMARS (high-mobility artillery rocket system) launchers for the ADF, bringing the total to 42. This expansion, costing around $1.6 billion, will accelerate the procurement of the land-based, long-range, surface-to-surface HIMARS, along with its associated munitions and support systems. The package also includes the precision strike missile (PrSM), expected to have a range beyond 500 kilometers. Plans are underway to produce HIMARS-compatible missiles in Australia by 2025.