Australian Defence Force shows off latest long-range strike weapon

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Australia's defence force has shown off its latest long-range strike weapon, with an orchestrated display of military might. The HIMARS missile launcher can hit targets up to 500 kilometres away. And the ADF argues it could prove crucial if Australia is ever forced to defend its north.

Transcript

00:00A long-range strike on a faraway target.

00:09This is the HIMARS missile system, capable of hitting its mark up to 500 kilometres away.

00:15It's a brand new weapon in the Australian arsenal, tested for the first time.

00:20And it's a signal of a major strategic shift, as Defence thinks about how it would defend

00:25Australia's north.

00:26We had thought the sea air gap, the waters to our north, were a great protective buffer.

00:32Well, modern weaponry very quickly traverses that gap now.

00:38It's day one of the talisman-saber war games, with a massive live firing exercise on a range

00:44north of Rockhampton.

00:46This is a highly orchestrated demonstration of just what the ADF is capable of working

00:50alongside its allies.

00:52But the ADF is under pressure to do more.

00:54The US has been open about wanting to see Australia spending billions more each year

00:59on its own defence and contributing to global security.

01:02And with plenty of talk around this event about uncertain strategic times, that pressure is

01:06unlikely to ease.

01:08The government is accepting risk in our most significant strategic circumstances.

01:12And what does that mean if that risk manifests?

01:13That means lives lost.

01:15Public commentary already on what the US is thinking.

01:19Defence is clear that the funding question is a matter for government.

01:23But it's closely watching as threats evolve.

01:25My role is, I need to look at the strategy that's developed, understand the intelligence

01:31as our region changes and make recommendations.

01:34And is making a point of the friends Australia is keeping close.

01:39We recognise we're stronger when we're operating with partners.

01:42A show of force, aiming north.

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