The United States has ordered an additional batch of GMLRS precision guided rockets for HIMARS worth $3.43 billion.

The U.S. Department of Defense said it had signed an agreement with Lockheed Martin for the production of the projectiles.

Locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of October 2027.

The approximate volume of purchases can be seen in the March 2023 request for additional ammunition.

At that time, it was planned to purchase 5,016 GMLRS guided missiles from Lockheed Martin for $886 million.

This contract fits into the recently announced plans of the United States to dramatically increase the production of artillery ammunition and GMLRS rockets.

In 2023, the Pentagon’s Vice Chairman of the Army said that the United States planned to increase their production sixfold over the next five years.

Only the American company Lockheed Martin produces GMLRS rockets for the US Army and allies.

They are equipped with a satellite guidance system and can hit targets up to 80 km away.

However, the company is trying to start production of the GMLRS outside the United States as well.

In January of this year, the Australian Ministry of Defense signed a $37.4 million contract with Lockheed Martin Australia.

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