When the AUKUS trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United
States was announced on 15 September 2021, it became evident that military cooperation
will greatly enhance between these nations.
The US State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale to Australia of Advanced
Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles-Extended Range (AARGM-ERs), with an estimated price tag of
$506 million.
Sales announcements are not final; Foreign Military Sales (FMS) will have to be approved
by Congress but it is unlikely to face any objections.
According to the Pentagon, the weapon is compatible with the F/A-18, F-16 and the F-35 joint strike
fighter — the latter of which is set to be the core of Australia’s military aviation
fleet for years to come.
In this video Defense Updates analyzes how American AARGM-ER could help Australia thwart
potential Chinese aggression ? Let’s get started.
Australia is already a customer of Northrop Grumman's AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation
Guided Missile (AARGM), having made a purchase in June 2013.
Now the country has confirmed its intention to acquire the latest extended-range version
known as the AARGM-ER.
Australia is seeking to buy up to 63 AARGM-ERs and up to 20 AARGM-ER Captive Air Training
Missiles (CATMs).
Also included, per the announcement, are “Dummy Air Training Missiles (AARGM-ER DATMs), containers,
component parts and support equipment; Repair of Repairables; software (Classified and Unclassified);
publications (Classified and Unclassified); training (Classified and Unclassified); transportation;
U.S. Government and Contractor engineering support; and other related elements of logistical
and program support.”
The deal is essentially meant to provide Australian forces with better capability against China.
The backdrop is critical here and comes at a juncture when the relationship between Australia
and China has seen major deterioration.
It is interesting to note that relation was cordial but this changed since President Xi
Jinping became the leader.
The situation became worse after Australia asked for a free and fair probe into Coronavirus
origin and China retaliated with a higher tariff on Australian goods and import restrictions.
China has even threatened Australia with military action.
Sometime back, in a speech to the Australian Defense Force Academy in Canberra, Scott Morrison
who was then the Prime Minister of Australia said his country “must face the reality
that we have moved into a new and less benign strategic era.”
Air superiority is the key to modern warfare.
To counter Western aerial domination, countries like Russia & China have deployed sophisticated
air defense systems as part of the Anti-Access and Area Denial (A2AD) strategy.
Russia has deployed S-300, and S-400 and is in the process of operationalizing the S-500.
China has HQ-9 & HQ-12 SAM.
These weapons could inflict a huge amount of damage to aerial assets like fighters,
bombers, aerial tankers, and Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft.
ARM or Anti-Radiation Missile are designed as a counter to advance air defense systems
This kind of missile is designed to detect and home in on an enemy radio emission source.
Typically, these are designed for use against an enemy radar, although jammers and even
radios used for communications can also be targeted in this manner.
This type of missile is commonly carried by specialist aircraft in the Suppression of
Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) role The primary purpose of this type of missile
is to degrade enemy air defenses in the first period of a conflict in order to increase
the chances of survival for the following waves of strike aircraft.
They can also be used to quickly shut down unexpected surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites
during an ongoing air raid.
Radars are like eyes of the air defense and once it is taken out, it becomes severely
handicapped.
Often, SEAD escort aircraft also carry cluster bombs, which can be used to ensure that, after
the ARM disables the SAM system's radar, the command post, missile launchers, and other
components or equipment are also destroyed to guarantee that the SAM site stays down.
AARGM is an air-launched weapon intended to destroy enemy air defense systems
It offers improved capabilities over the HARM or High-Speed Anti Radiation Missile system
it replaces.
The AARGM features new software and enhanced capabilities to counter jamming through Electronic
Warfare.
Previous versions of the missile could be dodged by turning off the radar before the
weapon could lock on to their signals.
AARGM contains a multi-mode guidance package containing a GPS-assisted inertial navigation
system, as well as a millimeter-wave radar that can locate targets even if they stop
emitting radio frequency or other signals or even begin to move.
AARGM-ER is an Extended-Range version of the current AARGM weapon.
AARGM-ER uses the same sensors, electronics, and warheads as its predecessor.
However, differences include a larger rocket engine and tail upgrades to extend its range
and improve its maneuverability.
The missile also has its mid-body wings removed and replaced with a short strake along its
length.
AARGM has a range of 150 km or 92 miles whereas AARGM-ER will have a range of 300 km or around
185 miles.
The missile can also relay data in its final moments to confirm whether or not it successfully
hit its intended target.
The Chinese military is being used as a tool by the Chinese Communist regime to push its
expansionist policies.
Canberra is putting significant resources into upgrading the Australian Defense Force’s
land capabilities as it reconfigures to face a potential future conflict in the Asia Pacific
region with China being the main rival.
AARGM-ER would provide a major boost to Australia.
In a statement, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency or DSCA said: “This proposed sale
will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the US.
Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific.
“It is vital to the US national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining
a strong and ready self-defence capability.”
The approved deal will also require the US contractor representatives and government
personnel to make a temporary visit, along with program technical oversight and support
requirements, to Australia for the execution of this deal.
If everything goes smoothly, the missiles would likely be delivered starting in 2025.