Aussie Digger
February 13th, 2004, 09:09 AM
The Australian Defence Force will be equipped with the most effective anti-ship missiles in the world following the Government's decision to spend $30 million to acquire Harpoon Block II technology, Defence Minister Robert Hill announced today.
Senator Hill said the current Harpoon Block I missiles would be retrofitted with state-of-the-art Harpoon Block II technology that will enhance the precision and lethality of the ADF's premier maritime strike weapon.
"The Harpoon missile is fired from Anzac, Adelaide and Collins class naval platforms, and F-111, F/A-18 and AP-3C aircraft," Senator Hill said.”
The Harpoon capability is being introduced to the Anzac class ships (under approved Project SEA 1348).
"The improved missile will allow upgraded platforms to target ships close to shore or in congested waterways more effectively.
"The combination of state-of-the-art navigational and initialisation information technology allows the missile's active radar seeker to better discriminate the desired ship targets from islands, other obstructions or neutral ships.
"The Anzac class frigates will be the first to fully utilise this capability upgrade."
Australia will be one of the lead nations in fielding the new Harpoon Block II technology.
The ADF has fielded the Harpoon missile continuously since 1982.
The missile upgrade kits are being purchased from Boeing and will be installed by Defence personnel at the Orchard Hills facility in Sydney.
One thing that intrigues me about this. A lot of media people become hysterical when Australia has any plan to purchase stand-off land attack missiles, because this might "upset the strategic balance", god-forbid that Australia should do this... It doesn't apparently matter that countries in our region already possess such a capability, but it would be terrible if the ADF were to acquire a similar capability. However, this is exactly what the Harpoon 11 will provide us. The Harpoon missile has been upgraded with the guidance control systems from the JDAM and SLAM-ER standoff attack missile, and possesses the ability to attack "a wide variety of land targets" (direct quote from Boeings website) at ranges exceeding 67nms (ie: 124+ kilometers). No-one so far has commented on this, least of all the Defence Minister. Given that Denmark acquired 50 (publicly announced) Harpoon 11 upgrade kits for $10 Million and that Australia is planning to spend $30 Million on these kits, this should provide quite a boost to Australia's strike capabilities, allowing even our Navy to strike land targets at quite a distance inland. This should also improve the utility of our Collins Class subs too, given their ability to stealthily approach shore lines...
Senator Hill said the current Harpoon Block I missiles would be retrofitted with state-of-the-art Harpoon Block II technology that will enhance the precision and lethality of the ADF's premier maritime strike weapon.
"The Harpoon missile is fired from Anzac, Adelaide and Collins class naval platforms, and F-111, F/A-18 and AP-3C aircraft," Senator Hill said.”
The Harpoon capability is being introduced to the Anzac class ships (under approved Project SEA 1348).
"The improved missile will allow upgraded platforms to target ships close to shore or in congested waterways more effectively.
"The combination of state-of-the-art navigational and initialisation information technology allows the missile's active radar seeker to better discriminate the desired ship targets from islands, other obstructions or neutral ships.
"The Anzac class frigates will be the first to fully utilise this capability upgrade."
Australia will be one of the lead nations in fielding the new Harpoon Block II technology.
The ADF has fielded the Harpoon missile continuously since 1982.
The missile upgrade kits are being purchased from Boeing and will be installed by Defence personnel at the Orchard Hills facility in Sydney.
One thing that intrigues me about this. A lot of media people become hysterical when Australia has any plan to purchase stand-off land attack missiles, because this might "upset the strategic balance", god-forbid that Australia should do this... It doesn't apparently matter that countries in our region already possess such a capability, but it would be terrible if the ADF were to acquire a similar capability. However, this is exactly what the Harpoon 11 will provide us. The Harpoon missile has been upgraded with the guidance control systems from the JDAM and SLAM-ER standoff attack missile, and possesses the ability to attack "a wide variety of land targets" (direct quote from Boeings website) at ranges exceeding 67nms (ie: 124+ kilometers). No-one so far has commented on this, least of all the Defence Minister. Given that Denmark acquired 50 (publicly announced) Harpoon 11 upgrade kits for $10 Million and that Australia is planning to spend $30 Million on these kits, this should provide quite a boost to Australia's strike capabilities, allowing even our Navy to strike land targets at quite a distance inland. This should also improve the utility of our Collins Class subs too, given their ability to stealthily approach shore lines...