The IKARA Missile: Australia’s Cold War Wonder Weapon

Overview: –

No single weapons platform at sea benefited more from the rapid advances in post-WW2 military technology than the submarine. The evolution of atomic power and guided missile delivery systems resulted in submarines becoming the apex predators at sea, as well as instruments of potential global annihilation. This in turn created an ever-greater need for effective stand-off antisubmarine warfare defences within a field of operations that presented enormous technological challenges for the major naval powers to overcome. Yet one of the most significant advances in the ASW domain was to emerge from a small player in the form of Australia, and from 1959 onwards create the foundations for that nation’s future defence industries and defence science innovation. From drawing board to operational service, the narrative of the Ikara ASW system provides a fascinating insight as to how this project transformed Australia into a viable producer of high-quality military hardware on the world stage.

Presenter – Angus Britts

Angus is a qualified historian who has authored three books about military history, the third of which, Ikara: Australia’s Cold War Wonder Weapon, has been published on behalf of the Naval Historical Society of Australia. His principal areas of research involve the development of the ‘Singapore Strategy’ from 1921 – 1942, and the rise of airpower at sea during the same period. A volunteer with the Society, his other interest include politics, international relations, and the ongoing trials and tribulations of Australia’s national cricket and rugby teams. He is 57 years of age, and resides in Neutral Bay, Sydney.

Details:

Date and Time: 1100am., Wednesday 15th. June 2022 (Sydney time)
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Meeting ID: 823 1524 8392. Passcode: 719235

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