Australia achieves final operational capability for NASAMS

The Australian Army declared final operational capability for its enhanced NASAMS short-range ground-based air-defence system in late June after completing major delivery, testing, training and sustainment requirements. Operated by 16 Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, under Project LAND 19 Phase 7B, the Australian configuration combines CEA Technologies radar arrays, a Raytheon MTS-A electro-optical/infrared sensor and Hawkei and HX vehicles. It can fire AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM or AIM-9X missiles against aircraft, helicopters, large drones and cruise missiles within roughly 25 kilometres. NASAMS will form the inner layer of Australia's developing integrated air and missile defence network.