Australia is set to boost its military capabilities with the acquisition of US-made Switchblade 300 drones, as announced by the Australian government on Monday (via Nikkei Asia).
Australia acquires US-made Switchblade 300 kamikaze drones to bolster its military capabilities, with initial deliveries expected by 2025.Image via AeroVironment
Australian Troops to Receive US-Made Kamikaze Drones
The Switchblade 300, produced by the American unmanned aircraft systems manufacturer AeroVironment, is a precision loitering munition designed to crash into its target and detonate.
Weighing less than 2 kilograms, this portable drone can be carried in a backpack and deployed from a launch tube in under two minutes.
It provides army units the ability to attack targets with precision beyond the line of sight, a feature highlighted by Malcolm Davis, a senior defense analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
The Switchblade 300 also boasts impressive specifications. According to AeroVironment's website, It can reach speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour, has a range of 30 kilometers, and an endurance of 20 minutes.
Additionally, the drone also provides a number of important features such as "real-time video, GPS coordinates, selectable warheads, and wave-off capabilities."
The latest version of the drone features a payload equivalent to a 40-millimeter grenade, capable of taking out soft-skinned vehicles and infantry positions.
Killer Drone Widely Used in Ukraine
The demand for such weapons has surged following their successful deployment in conflicts in Azerbaijan, the Red Sea, and Ukraine.
The Defense Post tells us that the Switchblade 300 has been notably effective in neutralizing Russian military assets, even in the presence of sophisticated electronic warfare systems. It has also been used in Iraq and Afghanistan, demonstrating its versatility and effectiveness on various battlefields.
In their announcement, the Australian government has not disclosed the exact number of Switchblade 300 drones it will acquire or the contract's value. However, initial deliveries are expected later this year, with the drones entering service by 2025.
The acquisition is part of a strategic initiative to enhance the ADF's use of drones, as emphasized by Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy. He stated, "With autonomous weapon systems increasingly prevalent, the Defence Strategic Review made clear that new technology and asymmetric advantage are important priorities."
In addition to acquiring the Switchblade 300, Australia is also exploring domestic production of similar drones. Davis suggested that producing a large number of these drones domestically could be cost-effective compared to missile systems.
He mentioned that Australia's guided weapons and explosive ordnance enterprise could potentially manufacture these drones at a low cost.
This acquisition aligns with Australia's plan to boost its military capabilities by increasing the use of uncrewed aerial systems.
Currently, the ADF operates around 760 unmanned aerial systems primarily for surveillance and reconnaissance missions, ABC reports. The Switchblade 300 will significantly enhance the ADF's attack capabilities.
Earlier this month, the US Department of State approved a potential foreign military sale of AeroVironment's Switchblade 300 loitering munition systems to Taiwan.
