Live-fire drill carried out during multinational exercise in Australia

A multinational exercise in Australia featured live firing from long-range artillery to coordinate the collective ability to rapidly deploy and fire, while also sharing data of targets.

Australia is hosting the exercise ‘Talisman Sabre’ in which the Quad—India, US, Japan and Australia—will be joined in by 15 other nations. More than 30,000 military personnel are part of the exercise being held from July 13 to August 4.

In a statement, the US Department of Defense said the event brought together forces from several nations to synchronize long-range fires, armour movements and air defence in a realistic scenario designed to strengthen interoperability and regional deterrence.

A high-mobility artillery rocket system’s (HIMARS) live-fire component underscored the ability of partner forces to rapidly deploy and share targeting data.

The scenario began with US Marine Corps F-35B Lightning-II joint strike fighters executing an initial airstrike to neutralise enemy air defences. HIMARS from the Australian Defence Force’s, US Army’s, Singapore Armed Forces moved from concealed positions to deliver precision long-range fires. 

Guided multiple launch rocket systems were used to engage enemy targets identified. It simulated an armoured assault.

Targeting data was provided by a multinational intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance enterprise, including Australian unmanned aerial system platforms.

Senior military leaders and international observers watched as partner nations coordinated across all areas of the battlespace.

“A key takeaway was how quickly our teams adapted to each other’s systems and procedures, highlighting that interoperability isn’t just about equipment, it’s about people, trust and shared commitment,” the US statement said.