WATCH: NATO Warship Fires Ship-Killer Missile in Boost for US Alliances
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A Canadian warship—currently deployed in the Indo-Pacific with NATO allies—tested its ability to sink enemy vessels earlier this month during a live-fire missile drill near Australia.
The missile firing was conducted as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025—an ongoing war game involving 19 Indo-Pacific, North American and European nations. It comes amid China's rapid military buildup and expanding naval presence in the broader Western Pacific.
Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The live-fire drill, conducted by the Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Ville de Québec, marked the second time Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 has featured anti-ship capabilities, after the U.S. army conducted a missile strike on a maritime target on July 16.
Both missile firing events appear to be a response to China's demonstration of its growing naval power through two high-profile missions in the Pacific earlier this year—a dual aircraft carrier deployment and the circumnavigation of Australia—alarming the U.S. and its allies.
What To Know
In a video released on Tuesday, the Ville de Québec was seen firing a Harpoon anti-ship missile. According to the Canadian Joint Operations Command, the warship rearmed with Harpoon missiles in Darwin, northern Australia, on July 9 in preparation for the exercise.
In this still image taken from video provided by the Royal Canadian Navy on July 22, 2025, the Canadian frigate HMCS Ville de Québec fires a Harpoon anti-ship missile during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 in...
In this still image taken from video provided by the Royal Canadian Navy on July 22, 2025, the Canadian frigate HMCS Ville de Québec fires a Harpoon anti-ship missile during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 in waters off northern Australia. More
Royal Canadian Navy
The U.S.-made Harpoon missile, which has a range of over 69 miles, can be launched from aircraft, land-based coastal defense systems, and submarines, in addition to surface ships.
The Canadian warship also conducted a missile rearmament following the live-fire event, according to the Australian military. It became the second Canadian naval vessel to be rearmed in Australia, after the frigate HMCS Vancouver at the Port of Broome in 2024.
"Utilizing Darwin to rearm a Canadian warship with conventional munitions is a significant achievement for the [Australian Defense Force] and our interoperability with close partners," said Australian Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones, in a press release.
The Ville de Québec departed Canada in April for a deployment in the Indo-Pacific, aimed at promoting peace, stability, and the rules-based international order, according to Canada's Department of National Defence. It joined a NATO naval strike group led by the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales.
On July 9, in preparation for its participation in Ex TALISMAN SABRE, #HMCSVilledeQuébec conducted a rearm in Darwin, Australia, of Harpoon Missiles. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/5XhfzFTeBF — Canadian Joint Operations Command (@CJOC_COIC) July 11, 2025
Both the British and Canadian warships conducted operations with a U.S. naval strike group led by the aircraft carrier USS George Washington in waters north of Australia on July 18.
What People Are Saying
The Canadian Joint Operations Command said on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, on July 12: "Conducting a forward rearmament this far from home…strengthens our interoperability with partners and allies in the Indo-Pacific region and ensures our forces are ready to respond anywhere when called upon to defend Canada and our allies."
Australian Vice Admiral Justin Jones, Chief of Joint Operations, said in a press release on Monday: "Canada's participation in Talisman Sabre and rearmament of HMCS Ville de Québec in Darwin will help to maintain strong interoperability between our forces."
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 will feature additional anti-ship missile live fires, as the U.S. continues to arm its Pacific allies with anti-ship weapons.
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