Australia will establish the production of high-precision rockets for М142 HIMARS.

The Australian Department of Defence awarded a $37.4 million contract to Lockheed Martin Australia on 16 January.

This agreement provides for the start of production of GMLRS munitions in the country in 2025.

According to this agreement, the first batch of GMLRS missiles will be manufactured in Australia, which will be an important step towards creating a domestic capability to produce high-precision rockets.

The contract also covers the transfer of important technologies from the United States that are necessary for the production of GMLRS.

In addition, the agreement would lay the groundwork for engineering certification processes and develop the technical skills of Australian workers.

Australia will also acquire precision-guided PrSM (Precision Strike Missile) missiles, capable of hitting targets up to 500 kilometers away.

PrSM and GMLRS missiles can be used with HIMARS launchers, the purchase of which was approved by the Australian government in 2023.

These initiatives are part of a $4.1 billion investment by the country’s government to acquire long-range weapons systems and promote Australia’s domestic production of long-range munitions.

Last August, Militarnyi reported that the Australian government had approved the purchase of long-range missiles of various types to improve the ability to strike over long distances.

This referred to the purchase of Tomahawk cruise missiles, GMLRS rockets, and AARGM-ER anti-radiation missiles.

It was also decided to double the number of ordered American HIMARS from 20 to 42 units and the number of missiles for them.