22 July 2025
The Australian Army’s air and missile defence capability took a step forward during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 when 16th Regiment’s National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) fired two AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles in the Northern Territory.
The surface-to-air missile system was deployed to the remote Bradshaw Field Training Area, some 600 kilometres south of Darwin, where 16th Regiment soldiers successfully shot down a simulated cruise missile threat several kilometres away and thousands of feet in the sky.
111 Battery Air and Missile Defence Operator Gunner Seth Allen said the thrill of a live-fire wasn’t lost on the regiment’s soldiers.
“Honestly, it’s an honour being that close,” Gunner Allen said.
NASAMS forms part of the inner tier of Defence’s integrated air and missile defence: a network of ships, fighter aircraft and surface-to-air missiles designed to protect Australia from airborne threats such as enemy missiles or aircraft.
Major Talal Moutrage, in his role as an Air Defence Artillery Fire Control Officer, is a subject matter expert within the Air Command and Control Agency, integrating defensive fires into the joint air battle.
“We provide the critical integration with joint partners to ensure the protection of friendly aircraft and control the effective delivery of land defensive fires against airborne threats,” Major Moutrage said.
It was the third successful live fire for the air defence regiment, after the AIM-9 Sidewinder was tested from the high-mobility launcher at Woomera Test Range earlier this year.
Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, held across Australia from July 13 to August 4, is the largest Australia-US bilaterally planned, multilaterally conducted exercise.
More than 40,000 military personnel are taking part in activities across Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, New South Wales and Papua New Guinea.
