Australia fires first Himars rocket in war game with US
ROCKHAMPTON : Australia's army fired a truck-mounted long-range rocket system that has become a priority for US allies in the Indo-Pacific for the first time today, alongside US and Singapore forces firing the same system in joint war games.
Armoured trucks with Himars – high mobility artillery rocket systems that can reach 400km – are in high demand in the Ukraine conflict and are also being acquired by US 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 US, Australia, Japan, France, South Korea and Singapore held a live-fire exercise in northern Queensland involving US 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.
Australian army brigadier Nick Wilson, director-general of the combined live-fire exercise, said it was the first time Australia, Singapore and the US had fired Himars together, and the first firing by Australia on home soil.
'Himars will be utilised in conjunction with a number of other weapon platforms… to ensure we have a strategy of denial for security, peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific,' he told reporters today.
The joint exercise at Shoalwater Bay in north Queensland was watched by Australian governor general Sam Mostyn and chief of defence admiral David Johnston.
Australia has previously said army regiments with Himars can be transported to neighbouring island states with defence agreements to protect its northern approaches in a conflict.
Lockheed Martin delivered the first two of 42 Himars launcher vehicles ordered by Australia in April.
Australia has said it will spend A$74 billion on missiles over the next decade, including a new domestic manufacturing capability.
US army lieutenant-general Joel Vowell, deputy commanding general for the Pacific, said yesterday the US needed to work with partners in the Indo-Pacific, and that Talisman Sabre was 'a deterrent mechanism because our ultimate goal is no war'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Cricket-Australia boss says tests could send nations 'bankrupt'
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Ashes - Fifth Test - England v Australia - The Oval, London, Britain - July 31, 2023 England's Zak Crawley takes a catch to dismiss Australia's Marnus Labuschagne off the bowling of Mark Wood Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs/File Photo MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Cricket Australia boss Todd Greenberg says the traditional test format could push some cricket nations into financial ruin and the sport may be better off with fewer five-day matches. Greenberg, who replaced Nick Hockley as CEO in March, said the future of test cricket may involve fewer nations and more investment in marquee series like the Ashes. "I don't think everyone in world cricket needs to aspire to play test cricket, and that might be OK," Greenberg told reporters on Wednesday, marking 100 days before Australia host England in the Ashes. "We're literally trying to send countries bankrupt if we force them to try to play test cricket." Greenberg, the former head of the sport's players' union, said cricket boards needed to prioritise meaningful contests over volume. "Scarcity in test cricket is our friend, not our foe," he said. "We need to make sure we invest in the right spaces to play test cricket where it means something and has jeopardy. "That's why the Ashes will be as enormous and profitable as it is — because it means something." While the five-test Ashes series starting in Perth in late-November has seen record demand for tickets, the longest format is under siege from T20 cricket. Mushrooming T20 franchise leagues offering lucrative player contracts are crowding out the global calendar and have prompted a slew of top players to give up tests and one-day internationals. Though Australia maintains a bumper schedule of tests every home summer, it was also one of the earlier movers in T20, with the Big Bash League (BBL) set for its 15th season in December. CA has resisted allowing private investment in BBL teams but Greenberg signalled the policy could be coming to an end following a review by Boston Consulting Group. "It would be completely naive of us sitting here in Australia to not explore (privatisation)," he said. "I'm not suggesting there's been a decision made, and ultimately it won't just be my decision or Cricket Australia's decision. "It will be the whole of leadership of Australian cricket and it has to be beneficial for everyone." (Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
Malay Mail
4 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Epic Games wins Aussie court fight against Apple and Google over Fortnite ban
SYDNEY, Aug 13 — An Australian court has found Apple and Google misused their market power in a dispute with the maker of wildly popular video game Fortnite. Both Apple and Google kicked Fortnite off their respective app platforms in 2020, after the game designed an in-app payments system that cut the tech giants out of the loop. Developer Epic Games retaliated by launching legal action against the tech giants in a string of courtrooms around the world. Australia's Federal Court this week found the tech firms' app-store dominance reduced competition, likely forcing game developers to pay higher commission fees. 'This is a WIN for developers and consumers in Australia!' Epic Games said in a statement Tuesday. Justice Jonathan Beach however rejected Epic Games' claims that Apple and Google engaged in unconscionable conduct. A Google spokesperson said the company disagreed with some of the court's findings and would 'review the full decision when we receive it and assess our next steps'. Australian lawyers have lodged a class action suit seeking compensation from Apple and Google on behalf of game users and developers. 'The judgement is a turning point,' said Kimi Nishimura from Maurice Blackburn Lawyers. 'It sends a clear message that even the most powerful corporations must play by the rules and respect the rights of consumers and developers alike.' Fortnite is one of the most popular video games in the world, laying claim to hundreds of millions of registered players. — AFP
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Australia will recognise Palestinian state
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese received assurances that there would be 'no role for the terrorists of Hamas in any future Palestinian state'. (EPA Images pic) SYDNEY : Australia will recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, prime minister Anthony Albanese said Monday. 'Until Israeli and Palestinian statehood is permanent, peace can only be temporary,' he told reporters. 'Australia will recognise the right of the Palestinian people to a state of their own.' Several countries, including France, Britain and Canada, have announced plans to recognise statehood for Palestinians since Israel launched a bombardment of Gaza nearly two years ago in response to the Hamas attacks. Albanese added that he had received assurances from the Palestinian Authority that there would be 'no role for the terrorists of Hamas in any future Palestinian state'. 'There is a moment of opportunity here, and Australia will work with the international community to seize it,' he said.
