Article Posted on : - Oct 21, 2010

Nulka Missile firing from HMAS Melbourne. Photo: Australian MoD

CANBERRA (BNS): The Australian Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has announced the delivery of 1000th Nulka anti-ship missile decoy to Australian Defence on Wednesday.

Nulka is Australia’s largest regular defence export programme and the world’s most effective soft-kill anti-ship missile.

"Nulka decoy is one of the most successful Electronic Warfare projects undertaken in Australia. It uses a unique combination of a hovering rocket and electronic warfare technologies to mislead or attract enemy missiles away from the target ship,” Minister for Defence Materiel, Jason Clare, said.

The missile decoy is used by the Royal Australian Navy, the United States Navy and the Canadian Navy.

Nulka is already fitted to all other major surface combatants of the navies of the US and Australia — that’s more than 130 ships — the missile is seen as an essential element of an effective, layered anti-ship missile defence capability.

The Royal Australian Navy has fitted Nulka to the four Adelaide Class guided missile frigates and the eight ANZAC class frigates.

The Air Warfare Destroyer, which will also be assembled in Australia, will be protected by the system.

Under the latest USD 39 million contracts, BAE Systems Australia will produce additional rounds for the Australian, United States and Canadian navies.