The U.S. Department of State has approved the sale of HIMARS multiple launch rocket system ammunition to Australia.

The information was published on the official website of the Office of Military Cooperation of the U.S. Department of Defense.

As part of the Foreign Military Sales program, Australia will receive 54 M30A2 guided missiles for multiple launch rocket systems with an alternative warhead (GMLRS-AW) and related equipment.

The total estimated cost is $91.2 million. The deal includes telemetry kits, engineering support, technical assistance, logistical support, and other program elements.

The main contractors for production will be the American company Lockheed Martin and its Australian division, Lockheed Martin Australia.

This purchase marks the first contract to be implemented by Australian companies as part of the opening of GMLRS production facilities in Australia.

In May 2022, the U.S. approved the sale of twenty HIMARS units to Australia for $385 million, and the order was later expanded to 42 units.

Additionally, Australia is working to establish domestic production of GMLRS missiles.

In January 2024, the Australian Department of Defense signed a $37.4 million contract with Lockheed Martin Australia to begin production of GMLRS in 2025.

This agreement includes the transfer of key technologies from the United States. The first batch of GMLRS missiles is expected to be manufactured in Australia as early as 2025, with plans to produce up to 4,000 units per year in the future.
It is also worth noting that the M30A2 missiles have been in production since 2019 and are the only version of the M30 missile currently produced.

Militarnyi previously reported that the American defense company Lockheed Martin transferred six M142 HIMARS missile systems to Estonia.