18 July 2025
The thundering roar of rockets tore through the skies at Shoalwater Bay, signalling the start of Exercise Talisman Sabre 25, and a new chapter in Australia’s defence capability.
Australian artillery and long-range fires combined with four partner nations for a joint firepower demonstration on July 14.
It was the first time Australian high mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS) had fired on home soil, a significant step according to Commander 10 Brigade, Brigadier Nicholas Wilson.
“Six weeks ago, our land indirect strike capability was 20-plus kilometres and as of today it is more than 400 kilometres,” Brigadier Wilson said.
“It gives us a credible, fight-tonight capability with the ability for the land force to contribute to the strategy of denial.”
The demonstration began with United States Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft, and UH-IY Venom and AH-1Z Cobra helicopters engaging targets in the Pyri Pyri ranges.
After the targets were suppressed, Australian, US and Singapore Army HIMARS combined to fire salvos of rockets at threats identified on Townshend Island.
They fired munitions of the kind to be produced domestically under the Australian guided weapons and explosive ordnance enterprise.
'We’ve transformed our Army quickly. We are a force that can aid in a strategy of denial within our region in conjunction with partner nations.'
US Marine Corps and Australian M777A2 155mm howitzers combined to provide offensive fire support at close range, before Republic of Korea Marine Corps K9A1 self-propelled howitzers mobilised to provide covering fire for the guns to reposition.
As the echoes of artillery fire faded away, Korean K1A2 main battle tanks commenced an assault of the enemy positions.
Finishing the demonstration with a bang was a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Chū-SAM medium-range surface-to-air missile system, which would be used to protect critical rear-echelon assets.
The firepower demonstration was important to showcase Australia and partner nations integrating in a complex warfighting scenario, Brigadier Wilson said.
“We combined our fighting power to demonstrate a credible strategy of denial that seeks to provide a stable and peaceful Indo-Pacific,” he said.
“It’s shown that we’ve transformed our Army quickly. We are a force that can aid in a strategy of denial within our region in conjunction with partner nations.
“It also shows the focus, hard work and enduring commitment of our soldiers and officers to advance a Defence Strategic Review objective, moving from an Army engaged in short-range indirect fire support to one that is capable of long-range strike.”
As the commander 10 Brigade, Brigadier Wilson was particularly proud of the firing of HIMARS operated by 14th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, a new long-range strike regiment raised in January.
The first HIMARS were only delivered in March, meaning the operators had a compressed timeline to be up to speed for Talisman Sabre.
“Due to their hard work and intensive training regime, they live-fired the HIMARS for the first time, not only with coalition partners, but on Australian soil,” Brigadier Wilson said.
