US, partners complete missile defence exercise featuring improved target

An overview of some of the vessels involved in Exercise ‘Pacific Dragon 2024', which sought to improve the ballistic missile capabilities of participating navies. (US Navy)

The US Navy (USN) and its partners have completed a biennial ballistic missile defence (BMD) exercise that utilised an improved target.

These exercises were conducted between 29 July and 13 August in waters around the Hawaiian Islands, reads a statement carried by the US Pacific Fleet on 18 August.

Other services that participated in the drills, which have been dubbed Exercise ‘Pacific Dragon 2024', were the Italian Navy, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN), the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), and the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN).

These services deployed the Thaon di Revel-class multi-purpose patrol vessel ITS Montecuccoli , the Maya-class destroyer JS Haguro , the Sejong Daewang (KDX-III)-class destroyer ROKS Yulgok Yi I , the Hobart-class destroyer HMAS Sydney , and the De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate HNLMS Tromp respectively.

The USN deployed its Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Shiloh and its Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Carl M Levin and USS Kidd .

Also participating in the drills were a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A aircraft, a USN P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, and an MQ-9 Reaper from the 163rd Attack Wing of the California Air National Guard.

Participating vessels carried out live-fire and simulated ballistic missile intercepts and tracking events, reads the statement published by the US Pacific Fleet. The goal of the exercise was to refine and improve the vessels' integrated air and missile defence (IAMD) capability in a coalition environment, it added.