In a sign of growing defense cooperation with allies and partners, the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) on Saturday test-fired its Type-12 anti-ship missile for the first time in Australia as part of this year’s multinational Talisman Sabre military exercise.
Launched from a truck-mounted system at the Beecroft Weapons Range in New South Wales, the 200-kilometer-range missile, which did not include explosive ordnance, was launched at an unmanned target in the East Australia Exercise Area off the coast of Jervis Bay.
The live-firing was part of joint anti-ship drills presumably held with China in mind, as Japan, the United States and Australia rehearse tactics for keeping opposing naval and amphibious forces at bay in case of a conflict.