BREAKING NEWS
Australia's Defence Ministry announced that the Australian Defence Force received the second batch of M142 HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems procured from the United States. The delivery took place two years ahead of schedule and approximately one year after the first batch arrived. The new systems will be assigned to the long-range fires battalion under the 10th Fire Force based in Adelaide. The Ministry did not disclose the number of systems in the second batch or the timeline for the next delivery.
Developed by Lockheed Martin, HIMARS is a multiple launch rocket system integrated onto a six-wheeled truck platform. The platform can fire a pod carrying six GMLRS guided rockets or PrSM (Precision Strike Missile) missiles, which Australia states can strike targets up to 500 kilometers away. Future PrSM variants are expected to achieve ranges exceeding 1,000 kilometers. The system is designed to NATO standards and is operationally employed by numerous allied nations.
Australia plans to deploy up to 90 HIMARS launchers procured through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program across two long-range fires battalions within the 10th Fire Force. The first two HIMARS systems arrived in Australia in March 2025. Australian personnel conducted their first PrSM missile firing during the Talisman Sabre exercise in July 2025. This firing occurred two years ahead of the original schedule, demonstrating accelerated operational readiness.
The Australian government selected HIMARS and PrSM systems in April under the "LAND 8113 Phase 2" project for establishing the second long-range fires battalion. This decision allocated 2.3 billion Australian dollars (approximately 1.6 billion U.S. dollars) for the next 10 years. The new battalion is planned for deployment in the Edinburgh Defence Precinct in South Australia. The government also projects expenditure of up to 37 billion Australian dollars over the next decade for target acquisition and long-range strike capabilities.
Australia continues efforts toward indigenous production of ammunition for HIMARS systems. The Port Wakefield GMLRS production facility in South Australia opened in December 2025. The Australian Defence Force conducted the first test firing of a GMLRS rocket produced in Australia from a HIMARS platform at the Woomera Test Range in April. Consequently, Australia is the only nation outside the United States producing GMLRS. Canberra and Washington launched a joint PrSM program last year, and the Australian government plans to expand domestic ammunition production to include PrSM missiles.
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