Three warships taking part in Exercise Kakadu 2024, which concluded on 22 September, were rearmed with vertically-launched air defence missiles from ports in Australia's north.
The demonstration is the first time warships have been rearmed with vertically-launched missiles for the Mk41 and Mk48 Vertical Launching Systems (VLS) in Australia at locations other than the ammunitioning facilities on Australia's southeast and southwest coasts.
In Darwin, HMAS Warramunga (FFH 152) had one of its RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles (ESSM) removed by a crane and then reloaded by a crane while alongside the East Arm Wharf. That was followed by a similar procedure onboard USS Dewey (DDG 105), which had an SM-2 missile loaded into its forward VLS module.
Further south in Broome, HMCS Vancouver (FFH 331), was also rearmed with four ESSM missiles as well ammunition for its 57mm gun on 23 September. The reammunitioning required the establishment of an 800 metre exclusion zone around the port.
Canada's Halifax class frigates, of which HMCS Vancouver is the second, are armed with 16 ESSM missiles fitted in peripherally-mounted Mk 48 VLS systems as well as eight Harpoon anti-ship missiles mounted ahead of the helicopter hanger.
"It was a roaring success. A significant first for the Royal Australian Navy, a first for the NT and the port of Darwin,” said the Commander Northern Command, Captain Mitchell Livingstone.