Defence on the attack with missile-test image release

Friday 10 July 2026

Andrew Greene

The West Australian

Images of the recent test firing of a medium-range missile in outback Australia have been released by the Federal Government days after China launched a nuclear-capable weapon into the Pacific. 

This week’s actions by the People’s Liberation Army have sparked Opposition warnings about Australia’s lack of air defence and “dangerously exposed” military bases, a concern that is shared by security experts. 

Late on Thursday the Government released details of a joint “live firing” of a Standard-Missile 2 that took place in June during Exercise Taipan Strike 26, as Labor insists it is improving the country’s air defences. 

The previously secret operation by the Australian and US militaries at the Woomera testing range in remote South Australia involved a prototype ground-based active missile defence system being used to engage an airborne target. 

The shot was released a day after shadow defence minister James Paterson warned that Australia did not have sufficient capabilities to intercept missiles such as the one fired by China. 

On Thursday, Defence Minister Richard Marles insisted the Government was continuing to “accelerate” introducing integrated air and missile defence capabilities for the military.

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