The State Department has made a determination approving a Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of HIMARS Launchers.

This was announced in a press release published on the Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s website.

The total estimated program cost is $385 million.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States. Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability,” the statement reads.

This regards to the sale of the following weapons:

• twenty (20) M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
• thirty (30) M30A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS);
• thirty (30) Alternative Warhead (AW) Pods with Insensitive Munitions Propulsion Systems (IMPS);
• thirty (30) M31A2 GMLRS Unitary (GMLRS-U) High Explosive Pods with IMPS;
• thirty (30) XM403 Extended Range (ER)-GMLRS AW Pods;
• thirty (30) EM404 ER GMLRS Unitary Pods;
• ten (10) M57 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).

The agreement also provides for the transfer of spare and repair parts, maintenance, and personnel training.

According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the proposed sale will improve Australia’s capability to meet current and future threats, and will enhance interoperability with U.S. forces and other allied forces.

As previously reported, the US is preparing to increase the supply of weapons to Ukraine by sending the Multiple Launch Rocket System, or MLRS.