US Hits Missile Power Milestone Amid China Threat

Newsweek

16-07-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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The United States sank a maritime target using a missile during an exercise in Australia, as China continues its rapid naval buildup and expands its warship presence in the Pacific.
The Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) was launched from a land-based Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system, a type that has been deployed in the Philippines since April 2024.
Newsweek has contacted the Chinese defense and foreign ministries for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The MRC can fire the Tomahawk cruise missile and the SM-6, with ranges of 1,000 and 290 miles, respectively. The latter is also known as "three missiles in one," as it is capable of being used in anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, and ballistic missile defense.
The MRC's deployment in the Philippines—a U.S. treaty ally involved in territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea—comes as Beijing asserts its sovereignty in the area by maintaining a persistent presence of naval and coast guard vessels. These often result in standoffs and clashes with rival forces—particularly those of the Philippines.
Prior to the MRC's live-fire sinking exercise—the first of its kind outside the continental U.S.—China flexed its naval strength through two high-profile missions in the Pacific Ocean earlier this year: a dual aircraft carrier deployment and the circumnavigation of Australia.
What To Know
The live-fire event took place at an undisclosed location in Australia's Northern Territory on Wednesday as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025—held across Australia and involving over 35,000 military personnel from 19 Indo-Pacific, North American and European nations.
The United States Army Third Multi-Domain Task Force conducts the first Mid-Range Capability live-fire exercise outside of the continental U.S. in Northern Territory, Australia, on July 16, 2025.
The United States Army Third Multi-Domain Task Force conducts the first Mid-Range Capability live-fire exercise outside of the continental U.S. in Northern Territory, Australia, on July 16, 2025.
Sgt. Perla Alfaro/U.S. Army
The missile successfully sank its target, the U.S. Army Pacific said, without providing further details.
The MRC was deployed by the U.S. Army's Third Multi-Domain Task Force, a unit capable of delivering precision strikes against anti-access and area denial networks—referring to efforts that prevent or restrict an enemy from entering and operating within a contested area.
The MRC stationed in the Philippines has been assigned to the First Multi-Domain Task Force.
The deployment in Australia demonstrated the Third Multi-Domain Task Force's ability to operate and contribute to regional security and stability, according to the U.S. Army Pacific.
The live-fire drill marked what the U.S. Army Pacific described as a "significant milestone" in the development of America's land-based maritime and strategic strike capabilities.
U.S. Army Colonel Wade Germann, commander of the Third Multi-Domain Task Force, said it represented another significant step forward in the unit's ability to "deploy, integrate, and command and control" advanced land-based maritime strike capabilities.
What People Are Saying
The U.S. Army Pacific said on Wednesday: "The demonstration highlights the strength of the Australia-U.S. Alliance and the rapidly advancing capability and capacity of [the Third Multi-Domain Task Force] and the 10th Australian Brigade to deploy advanced, land-based maritime strike capabilities in support of regional security and stability."
U.S. Army Colonel Wade Germann, commander of the Third Multi-Domain Task Force, said in a press release on Wednesday: "This exercise validated our targeting and [command and control] interoperability with our partner unit the Australian 10th Brigade through the Land Effects Coordination Cell. We have set the stage to develop and deploy combat-credible, multi-domain capabilities forward in support of the Combined and Joint Force."
What Happens Next
The live-fire exercise provided "valuable insights and lessons learned" that will inform the development and employment of land-based maritime strike capabilities, according to the U.S. Army Pacific. It remains to be seen whether similar exercises will be held in the future.