The largest joint military exercise in history, Talisman Sabre, is currently underway in Australia, featuring a significant demonstration of U.S. military power. On Wednesday, July 16th, the U.S. Army successfully conducted its first overseas test of the Typhon medium-range strike missile system.This event not only enhances the joint combat capabilities of the united States and Australia but also sends a clear strategic message to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regarding its maritime military expansion.
This year’s Talisman Sabre exercise is the most extensive and complex to date, involving over 35,000 personnel from 19 participating nations. These include the United States, Canada, Japan, India, Germany, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, South Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the Philippines, among others.
According to reports, the U.S. and Australian Armies executed live-fire launches of the Typhon system in Australia’s Northern Territory. The system, operated by the U.S. Army’s 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force, marks its second deployment to the Indo-Pacific region, following its initial deployment to the Philippines in 2024.
The U.S. military confirmed that the Typhon test launch demonstrated its capability for precision long-range strikes (LRPF) in forward-deployed scenarios. Crucially, it showcased the system’s ability to integrate with Australia’s multi-domain command structure and successfully engage maritime targets from a ground-based platform.
“This MRC deployment and triumphant engagement of maritime targets represent a significant advancement for our Army in integrating and leading advanced ground-based maritime strike capabilities,” stated Colonel Wade Germann, commander of the 3rd Contingent.
this test launch occurs amidst heightened regional security concerns, particularly following recent unannounced live-fire exercises conducted by the chinese Navy near Australia and New Zealand. Australian Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy indicated that Chinese spy ships are anticipated to monitor the exercise,a pattern observed in previous years.
The Typhon system is equipped with four launchers capable of carrying 16 missiles, utilizing a modified Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS). It can deploy SM-6 air defense/anti-ship missiles and Tomahawk cruise missiles, with strike ranges of 200 kilometers and 1,600 kilometers, respectively. This capability poses a direct threat to the CCP’s artificial islands and coastal facilities in the South china Sea, potentially undermining Beijing’s “anti-access/area denial” (A2/AD) strategy.
The Typhon system’s presence in Luzon, Philippines, places it in close proximity to Taiwan, posing a significant threat to the Chinese Navy should a conflict arise. Beijing has voiced strong objections to its deployment, warning of a potential arms race.
As a cornerstone weapon for the U.S. Army’s “Multi-Domain Task Force” (MDTF) initiative, Typhon systems are currently assigned to the 1st and 3rd Task Forces. Three of the five planned task forces are designated for the Indo-Pacific region, with another based in Europe. The fifth task force is expected to be stationed at Fort bragg, North Carolina, to ensure rapid global deployment capabilities.
While Australia has not yet formally committed to acquiring the Typhon system, the successful joint test during Talisman Sabre highlights the growing strategic alignment and interoperability between the two nations in the face of evolving regional security dynamics.
