The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has expanded its naval rearmament capability in northern Australia, rearming a Canadian warship from the Port of Darwin with RGM-84 Harpoon Block II missiles on two occasions during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. HMCS Ville de Québec is participating in the exercise as part of the UK Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Prince of Wales.
The rearmament of HMCS Ville de Québec in Darwin is a significant demonstration of the ADF’s growing interoperability with the Canadian Armed Forces, and our ability to provide logistics support to international partners conducting regional operations. The rearmament activities were conducted with the help of the ADF and Canadian Armed Forces logistics and ammunition-loading experts, with support from the Port of Darwin.
The activities took place before and after a live-fire missile shoot of the Harpoon missiles during Talisman Sabre, where the missiles engaged a ground-based target. It follows the successful rearming of HMCS Vancouver from the Port of Broome in 2024.
Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones said: “This rearmament is further proof of the ADF’s growing capability to use northern Australia to support our key partners. Utilising Darwin to rearm a Canadian warship with conventional munitions is a significant achievement for the ADF and our interoperability with close partners. Canada’s participation in Talisman Sabre and rearmament of HMCS Ville de Québec in Darwin will help to maintain strong interoperability between our forces.”
Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command Lieutenant-General J.M.S. Boivin said: “The rearmament of HMCS Ville de Québec in Darwin with Harpoon missiles while participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 is a demonstration of the Canadian Armed Forces’ important defence relationship with the Australian Defence Forces in the Indo-Pacific. Building on the 2024 rearmament of HMCS Vancouver in Broome, this rearmament in Darwin further reinforces the ability of Royal Canadian Navy Ships to conduct important rearmaments while forward deployed outside of North America. The interoperability between our two militaries on logistics activities enables a more agile Canadian Armed Forces’ presence in the region.”
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