The United States has deployed a hypersonic missile system overseas for the first time, in what is being seen as a clear signal to Russia and China, amid mounting global tensions in Europe and the Indo-Pacific. Nicknamed “Dark Eagle”, the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) system has been sent to Australia’s Northern Territory as part of Talisman Sabre 25, the largest-ever joint military exercise between the US and Australia.
It marks the first time the LRHW, which has a range of 1,725 miles and can travel at speeds in excess of Mach 5 (roughly 3,800 mph) has been positioned outside the continental United States. The move comes just days after President Donald Trump said he could meet Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as next week, in a bid to broker an end to the war in Ukraine.
Admiral Samuel J Paparo, Commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, said: “The deployment of the LRHW system to Australia marks a significant achievement for US Indo-Pacific Command, as it validates the Army’s ability to deploy, position, and exercise command and control of the system in a forward environment.”
He added: “The exercise demonstrates the Combatant Command’s capacity to project power and support the defence of Australia, a key ally in the region.”
The 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force (3MDTF), the US Army unit responsible for the weapon, called the deployment a “historic milestone”.
Colonel Wade Germann, the unit’s commander, said: “This exercise showcases our commitment to the defence of Australia and to the security of the Indo-Pacific region and highlights the strength of our partnership with the Australian Defence Force.”
The LRHW is a ground-based, truck-launched system capable of firing hypersonic glide vehicles at speeds greater than Mach 5 — over five times the speed of sound — and has an estimated range of more than 1,725 miles (2,775 kilometres). The weapon is designed to evade current missile defences and strike targets with extreme precision.
Its deployment marks a significant escalation in the hypersonic arms race. Russia has already used its Kinzhal hypersonic missile in Ukraine, and President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly boasted about the Avangard glide vehicle, which the Kremlin claims can travel at 27 times the speed of sound and outmanoeuvre all known interception systems.
China, too, has been rapidly expanding its hypersonic arsenal. In 2021, it tested a hypersonic glide vehicle that orbited the Earth before re-entering the atmosphere — a development that reportedly stunned US defence officials. Beijing is now fielding systems like the DF-17 missile, designed to strike regional targets with high manoeuvrability and speed.
The deployment of Dark Eagle comes as flashpoints flare on multiple fronts. In Europe, the war in Ukraine drags on, with Trump warning that Russia will face severe secondary sanctions and new tariffs if it does not move quickly towards a peace deal. His envoy Steve Witkoff met Putin in Moscow in recent days in what the Kremlin described as a “constructive” meeting. Trump called it “great progress”, while cautioning, “I’ve been disappointed before with this one”.
In parallel, the Indo-Pacific is bracing for a potential conflict over Taiwan. China has increased military activity near the island in recent months, while the United States has deepened security ties with allies including Japan, the Philippines, and Australia.
Talisman Sabre 25, which runs through August, involves more than a dozen nations and tens of thousands of troops. The deployment of the LRHW system was not announced in advance, likely to avoid triggering immediate retaliation or rhetorical escalation from Beijing or Moscow.
While no live missile launches have occurred during the exercise, US officials have made clear the system is fully operational and can be activated if needed.
Dark Eagle’s presence on Australian soil underscores Washington’s intent to deter adversaries through forward deployment of advanced technologies — a capability neither China nor Russia can currently match outside their own borders.
China has yet to respond to the deployment. Russia’s former president Dmitry Medvedev, however, has warned in recent weeks that the Ukraine conflict could spiral into direct confrontation with the United States, especially if Washington continues to deepen its military posture in Europe.
The United States has not previously stationed hypersonic missile systems abroad. With this deployment, the Pentagon has taken a significant step in reshaping its global force posture and demonstrating that its most advanced weapons can be rapidly positioned anywhere in the world.