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The Guardian
7 hours ago
- General
- The Guardian
Search underway for US sailor missing from USS George Washington in sea north of Australia
A search-and-rescue mission is underway in the Timor Sea for a US sailor believed to have gone overboard from the USS George Washington on Monday. The aircraft carrier, and its carrier strike group, are conducting search-and-rescue operations in the sea, after 'reports of a possible sailor overboard' on Monday afternoon, the US Navy said in a statement. The Australian Defence Force and Australian Border Force are assisting in the search. The sailor's name or rank, or the circumstances of the incident, has not been disclosed. The USS George Washington was only returned to sea in 2024 after a major overhaul and upgrade. It is forward-deployed in Japan. The USS George Washington - and its carrier strike group - are operating in the Timor Sea as part of Talisman Sabre 25 exercises. Talisman Sabre is a biennial, multinational military exercise led by Australia and the United States. The 2025 iteration involves more than 43,000 military personnel from 19 countries – including India, Indonesia, the UK, and France. Three additional countries – Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam – are observers of the exercises. Sign up to Afternoon Update Our Australian afternoon update breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion The Timor Sea, a shallow sea of the Indian Ocean, lies northwest of Darwin, between Australia and the island of Timor.

Daily Telegraph
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Telegraph
Video shows US Army testing new missiles in Australia
Don't miss out on the headlines from World. Followed categories will be added to My News. In a milestone moment, the US Army has conducted a live-fire test of its precision strike missiles in Australia, the first ever west of the international dateline. The test on Friday (US time), seen in footage obtained by Fox News Digital, marks a significant advancement in the region's long-range strike capabilities. The precision strike missile (PrSM) has an unclassified range of 300 miles (about 480km) and can hit moving targets on land or at sea, Fox News reports. The test saw a US-manufactured PrSM launched from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) vehicle owned by the Australian Defence Force. It was a show of force between the US and Australia at a time of increasing tension in the Indo-Pacific. The US Army conducted the live-fire test of its precision strike missiles on Friday (US time). Picture: Fox News/US Army A US-manufactured PrSM was launched from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) vehicle owned by the Australian Defence Force. Picture: Fox News/US Army 'This is just one of the key steps we're taking throughout the region to deter conflict, while ensuring that our soldiers have the best capabilities available,' said Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who observed the test at the Mount Bundey Training Area in Australia. 'The PrSM allows our forces to hold land and maritime regions at risk, which gives adversaries pause and increases deterrence.' The PrSM is the US Army's newest addition to its long-range precision fires (LRPF) portfolio, a triad of advanced strike systems that includes HIMARS-launched missiles, the mid-range capability platform and the Dark Eagle hypersonic missile. While HIMARS has already proven itself in combat zones like Ukraine, where its ability to rapidly fire and evade counter-attack has made it a prized system, the integration of the PrSM into this platform significantly enhances its strategic utility. The test marks a significant advancement in the region's long-range strike capabilities. Picture: Fox News/US Army The mobile launcher can be deployed from C-17 and C-130 aircraft, a U.S. Navy landing craft and even from ships at sea, a capability tested in joint drills with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Unlike the 90-mile-range Extended Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (ER GMLRS), which fires six missiles per HIMARS, the PrSM packs two missiles per launcher and can reach more than triple the distance. Asked why the missiles were an important part of preparation for a potential war in the Indo-Pacific, Driscoll told reporters, 'I think if you look at the way conflict is unfolding now, what is not being rewarded is large, massive presences with static locations and big footprints and signatures. What is being rewarded is the ability to be agile, hide your signature and move quickly.' The PrSM is the US Army's newest addition to its long-range precision fires (LRPF) portfolio. Picture: Fox News/US Army Fielding of HIMARS continues across the US Indo-Pacific Command, with the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii recently receiving 16 launchers, a first for a light infantry division tasked with jungle and archipelagic warfare. Officials say they are looking to increase munitions production with key allies. The test comes after it was revealed the Pentagon privately pressed Australia to define how it might help if war broke out over a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Australia responded by stressing it would not commit troops in advance of any conflict. Australia does not permit permanent foreign military bases, but the US is expanding its rotational presence at Australian sites. Australia and the US recently led a major joint exercise in Sydney involving 30,000 troops from 19 countries. It also comes at a time when Washington is reconsidering whether to sell nuclear-powered, Virginia-class submarines to Sydney through the Australia-UK-US (AUKUS) deal. The three nations would jointly design a new class of submarines, with Australian production beginning in the 2040s. This article originally appeared in Fox News and has been reproduced with permission. Originally published as Footage shows US Army testing new precision strike missiles in Australia

News.com.au
4 days ago
- News.com.au
Footage shows US Army testing new precision strike missiles in Australia
In a milestone moment, the US Army has conducted a live-fire test of its precision strike missiles in Australia, the first ever west of the international dateline. The test on Friday (US time), seen in footage obtained by Fox News Digital, marks a significant advancement in the region's long-range strike capabilities. The precision strike missile (PrSM) has an unclassified range of 300 miles (about 480km) and can hit moving targets on land or at sea, Fox News reports. The test saw a US-manufactured PrSM launched from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) vehicle owned by the Australian Defence Force. It was a show of force between the US and Australia at a time of increasing tension in the Indo-Pacific. 'This is just one of the key steps we're taking throughout the region to deter conflict, while ensuring that our soldiers have the best capabilities available,' said Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who observed the test at the Mount Bundey Training Area in Australia. 'The PrSM allows our forces to hold land and maritime regions at risk, which gives adversaries pause and increases deterrence.' The PrSM is the US Army's newest addition to its long-range precision fires (LRPF) portfolio, a triad of advanced strike systems that includes HIMARS-launched missiles, the mid-range capability platform and the Dark Eagle hypersonic missile. While HIMARS has already proven itself in combat zones like Ukraine, where its ability to rapidly fire and evade counter-attack has made it a prized system, the integration of the PrSM into this platform significantly enhances its strategic utility. The mobile launcher can be deployed from C-17 and C-130 aircraft, a U.S. Navy landing craft and even from ships at sea, a capability tested in joint drills with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Unlike the 90-mile-range Extended Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (ER GMLRS), which fires six missiles per HIMARS, the PrSM packs two missiles per launcher and can reach more than triple the distance. Asked why the missiles were an important part of preparation for a potential war in the Indo-Pacific, Driscoll told reporters, 'I think if you look at the way conflict is unfolding now, what is not being rewarded is large, massive presences with static locations and big footprints and signatures. What is being rewarded is the ability to be agile, hide your signature and move quickly.' Fielding of HIMARS continues across the US Indo-Pacific Command, with the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii recently receiving 16 launchers, a first for a light infantry division tasked with jungle and archipelagic warfare. Officials say they are looking to increase munitions production with key allies. The test comes after it was revealed the Pentagon privately pressed Australia to define how it might help if war broke out over a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Australia responded by stressing it would not commit troops in advance of any conflict. Australia does not permit permanent foreign military bases, but the US is expanding its rotational presence at Australian sites. Australia and the US recently led a major joint exercise in Sydney involving 30,000 troops from 19 countries. It also comes at a time when Washington is reconsidering whether to sell nuclear-powered, Virginia-class submarines to Sydney through the Australia-UK-US (AUKUS) deal. The three nations would jointly design a new class of submarines, with Australian production beginning in the 2040s.


The Print
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
CISC Air Marshal Dixit to visit Australia to witness Exercise Talisman Sabre
Six officers from the Indian armed forces are participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 (TS25) as 'staff planners at various levels of joint operations planning, control, safety and logistics', it said. It is a premier multilateral training activity led by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the United States Armed Forces and likely to see the participation from 19 nations, representing a wide spectrum of regional and global partners, the Indian defence ministry said in a statement. New Delhi, Jul 25 (PTI) Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC), Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit will visit Australia on July 26–28 to witness the 11th edition of the ongoing Exercise Talisman Sabre, officials said on Friday. Indian officers have earlier participated in 2021 and 2023 as 'Observers'. The Indian armed forces' participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre is a 'testimony to India's growing role in multilateral defence diplomacy and its active contribution to a stable Indo-Pacific', the ministry said in a statement. The exercise presents an invaluable opportunity to deepen military-to-military ties, exchange strategic insights and bolster India's vision of collaborative security engagement. During his visit, the CISC is scheduled to engage with senior military leaders from armed forces of Australia and other participating nations, and witness various training activities planned under TS25, the officials said. The visit underscores India's commitment to enhancing defence cooperation and strengthening interoperability with friendly foreign nations. It also reflects the growing stature of the Indian armed forces as a trusted partner in fostering regional security and collective preparedness for future contingencies, it said. 'TS25 will showcase extensive interoperability and joint warfare capabilities across air, land, maritime, space and cyber domains. It will feature complex live-fire drills, amphibious operations, integrated field training and realistic testbed for modern multi-domain operations in support of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific,' the ministry said. PTI KND NB This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.


Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
CISC Air Marshal Dixit to visit Australia to witness Exercise Talisman Sabre
New Delhi, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff , Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit will visit Australia on July 26–28 to witness the 11th edition of the ongoing Exercise Talisman Sabre, officials said on Friday. CISC Air Marshal Dixit to visit Australia to witness Exercise Talisman Sabre It is a premier multilateral training activity led by the Australian Defence Force and the United States Armed Forces and likely to see the participation from 19 nations, representing a wide spectrum of regional and global partners, the Indian defence ministry said in a statement. Six officers from the Indian armed forces are participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 as "staff planners at various levels of joint operations planning, control, safety and logistics", it said. Indian officers have earlier participated in 2021 and 2023 as "Observers". The Indian armed forces' participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre is a "testimony to India's growing role in multilateral defence diplomacy and its active contribution to a stable Indo-Pacific", the ministry said in a statement. The exercise presents an invaluable opportunity to deepen military-to-military ties, exchange strategic insights and bolster India's vision of collaborative security engagement. During his visit, the CISC is scheduled to engage with senior military leaders from armed forces of Australia and other participating nations, and witness various training activities planned under TS25, the officials said. The visit underscores India's commitment to enhancing defence cooperation and strengthening interoperability with friendly foreign nations. It also reflects the growing stature of the Indian armed forces as a trusted partner in fostering regional security and collective preparedness for future contingencies, it said. "TS25 will showcase extensive interoperability and joint warfare capabilities across air, land, maritime, space and cyber domains. It will feature complex live-fire drills, amphibious operations, integrated field training and realistic testbed for modern multi-domain operations in support of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific," the ministry said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.