Australia fires first HIMARS long-range rocket in war game with US and allies
Australia fires first HIMARS long-range rocket in war game with US and allies
03:49 Min | July 14, 2025, 10:27 PM IST
Australia's army fired for the first time on Monday (July 14) a truck-mounted long range rocket system that has become a priority for U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific, alongside U.S. and Singapore forces firing the same system in joint war games.Armoured trucks with HIMARS - High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems that can reach 400 km (250 miles) - are in high demand in the Ukraine conflict and are also being acquired by U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific, including Australia, which is reshaping its forces to respond to China's military build-up.On the first day of Australia's largest war games, "Talisman Sabre", the U.S., Australia, Japan, France, South Korea and Singapore held a live-fire exercise in northern Queensland involving U.S. F-35B fighter jets and land-based long-range strike rockets and missiles.Up to 40,000 troops from 19 nations are taking part in Talisman Sabre, across thousands of kilometres from Australia's Indian Ocean territory of Christmas Island to the Coral Sea on Australia's east coast.► Subscribe to ET Digital for the latest video updates. It's free! -
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
US govt deflects query on Pakistan's F-16 losses during India conflict
NEW DELHI: The US govt has declined to provide specific answers on the fate of Pakistan Air Force's F-16 fighter jets during ' Operation Sindoor '. "We refer you to the govt of Pakistan to discuss its F-16s," the US State Department said. According to an NDTV report, Washington maintains continuous oversight of Pakistan's F-16 fleet through US contractors stationed in the country around the clock. These teams monitor the fighter jets' use under detailed end-use agreements between Islamabad and Washington, which stipulate combat deployment conditions and form the basis for ongoing US maintenance support. The Technical Support Teams are contractually required to remain fully aware of the status of all Pakistan-operated F-16s at all times. The US state dept's current stance contrasts with 2019, when two US defence officials told Foreign Policy magazine that all of Islamabad's F-16s were accounted for after India claimed to have shot down one during the Balakot air strikes. India now believes Pakistan lost several F-16s during Operation Sindoor, either in IAF strikes on the ground or in aerial combat. IAF chief Air Marshal RKS Bhadauria said Saturday that Shahbaz Jacobabad airfield, which housed an F-16 hangar, was among the major targets attacked.
News18
8 hours ago
- News18
Trump, Putin will meet at Alaska military base long used to counter Russia
Washington, Aug 13 (AP) In an ironic twist, President Donald Trump is set to discuss the war in Ukraine with Russian leader Vladimir Putin at a military base in Alaska that was crucial to countering the Soviet Union during the height of Cold War and still plays a role today. The meeting is scheduled to take place Friday at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, according to a White House official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal planning. The base created by merging Elmendorf Air Force Base and Army Fort Richardson in 2010 has played a key strategic role in monitoring and deterring the Soviet Union during much of the Cold War. Throughout its long history, the base hosted large numbers of aircraft and oversaw operations of a variety of early warning radar sites that were aimed at detecting Soviet military activity and any possible nuclear launches. It earned the motto 'Top Cover for North America" at this time, according to the base website. While much of the military hardware has since been deactivated, the base still hosts key aircraft squadrons, including the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jet. Planes from the base also still intercept Russian aircraft that regularly fly into US airspace. The irony of Putin visiting an American military base that long has — and still does — aimed to counter Russian threats comes as Trump works to reach a ceasefire deal in a war that he promised during the 2024 campaign to end quickly. Officials from Ukraine and Europe fear that the one-on-one meeting they will not take part in could lead to an outcome that favours Russian goals. French President Emmanuel Macron said Trump was 'very clear" that the United States wants to achieve a ceasefire at the summit. Macron spoke after a virtual meeting between Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders. Trump has said any major agreement could involve land swaps and that Zelenskyy and Putin could meet next or he could meet with both leaders. 'There's a very good chance that we're going to have a second meeting, which will be more productive than the first, because the first is I'm going to find out where we are and what we're doing," Trump told reporters Wednesday. 'It's going to be a very important meeting, but it's setting the table for the second meeting." (AP) GSP view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
8 hours ago
- NDTV
Switzerland Wants To Finalise F-35A Deal With US Despite Spiralling Cost
Switzerland vowed Wednesday to continue its attempts to buy F-35A fighter jets from the United States, despite spiralling expense. The US is pushing for Switzerland to bear extra costs for producing the jets of between 650 million and 1.3 billion Swiss francs ($807 million-$1.6 billion) on a contract worth six billion Swiss francs, but the Swiss want to agree on a fixed price. The Swiss Federal Council said "intensive discussions" between the two countries had shown the US was "not prepared to deviate from its position". The council said the final price of the procurement would depend on factors including US inflation, commodity prices and US tariffs. "The Federal Council remains committed to procuring the F-35A," the council said, insisting the jets had "significant technological advantage over other aircraft". The council said it had asked the defence department to review all the available options and report back by November. The government won a referendum in September 2020 by a razor-thin margin that approved the military spending of six billion Swiss francs on a new fleet. The F-35A, used by the US Air Force and several European countries, was chosen in June 2021 over competitors from Airbus, Boeing and Dassault. The first deliveries are due in 2027. Switzerland's long-standing position has been one of well-armed military neutrality, and the country has mandatory conscription for men.
