RNZAF P-8A Poseidon launches Harpoon missiles

A Harpoon air-to-surface missile launched by a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P-8A strikes a decommissioned target ship, USS Juneau (LPD 10), near the Mariana Islands Range Complex on 27 June 2026. (NZDF) (NZDF)

A Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Boeing P-8A Poseidon has launched AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles for the first time during an international exercise near Guam.

During Exercise ‘Valiant Shield‘ 2026 (VS26), the RNZAF P-8A (serial number NZ4802) fired two AGM-84 Harpoons at a decommissioned target ship, with both missiles striking the target, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) said on 1 July.

The NZDF added that the Australian Defence Force (ADF) supplied the missiles.

The target was the decommissioned Austin-class amphibious transport dock USS Juneau (LPD 10), positioned more than 200 n miles off Guam in the Mariana Islands Range Complex, according to US Pacific Command (PACOM). Official imagery indicates that the strike was conducted on 27 June.

The event demonstrated the P-8A fleet's utility in a strike role against surface targets, with the NZDF stating that the aircraft can accurately engage ships from at least 100 km away.

It is unclear whether the ADF's transfer of the missiles is part of a formal reciprocal, pooling and logistics agreement for anti-ship munitions under the Australia-New Zealand Closer Defence Relations (CDR) framework. Janes has requested additional information from the NZDF.

The activities undertaken during VS26 are a “step forward for the RNZAF” and are “critical to NZDF readiness to be able to meet the challenges of a deteriorating strategic environment”, NZDF Air Component Commander Air Commodore Andy Scott said.

Missile variant

NZDF and US Air Force (USAF) video imagery indicate that the AGM-84J-1 Harpoon variant was used in the strike.