Australia to invest $1 billion for the development of new naval advanced guided weapons.

According to information published by the Australian Ministry of Defense on January 25, 2021, the Australian Government will invest $1 billion to commence the early development of advanced guided weapons to enhance Australia’s maritime security. This significant commitment will modernize the Australian Navy’s platforms to project and maintain sea control.
Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

LRASM Long-range anti-surface cruise missile. (Picture source Lockheed Martin)

This project will provide the Australian Navy with leading-edge long-range anti-ship missiles, extended range surface-to-air missiles, advanced lightweight torpedoes, and maritime land strike capabilities.

With ranges in excess of 370 kilometers for anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles and 1,500 kilometers for maritime land strike missiles, these new weapons will enhance the protection of our maritime resources and borders, and hold adversaries at risk at much greater distances.

As part of SEA 1300, Defence will continue its long-term investment and key contribution to the Evolved SEASPARROW Block 2 missile program, and commence investment in developing the Standard Missile 2 Block IIIC and the Standard Missile 6 Block 1, to meet Australia’s surface-to-air missile capability requirements.

The American company Lockheed Martin has developed for the United States Air Force and the United States Navy, the AGM-158C LRASM (Long Range Anti-Ship Missile), a stealthy anti-ship cruise missile in collaboration with the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

Armed with a penetrator and blast fragmentation warhead, LRASM employs precision routing and guidance, day or night in all weather conditions. The missile employs a multi-modal sensor suite, weapon data link, and enhanced digital anti-jam Global Positioning System to detect and destroy specific targets within a group of numerous ships at sea.