Australia has selected Lockheed Martin’s HIMARS launcher and Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) to significantly upgrade its long-range firepower.
The decision came after Lockheed Martin’s offering outperformed a joint bid from Thales and Kongsberg, whose StrikeMaster system features Naval Strike Missiles mounted on a Bushmaster armored vehicle platform.
Canberra will also create a second long-range fires regiment at the Edinburgh Defence Precinct, enhancing the Australian Defence Force’s ability to strike targets up to 500 km initially, with plans to extend reach beyond 1,000 km under future capability upgrades aligned with the 2026 National Defence Strategy.
To support this transformation, the government has committed up to AUD 37 billion over the next 10 years toward improving long-range targeting and strike systems. The ADF received its first HIMARS unit in March 2025, capable of deploying both GMLRS rockets and PrSM missiles.
The system demonstrated its capability during Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 by successfully firing a PrSM ahead of schedule, and more recently conducted a test of Australia’s first locally manufactured GMLRS round.
Prior to the official selection, Australia and Lockheed Martin had been collaborating on integrating local industry into the HIMARS and PrSM ecosystem. A bilateral agreement signed in June 2025 ensures access to the PrSM while enabling Australian industry participation, including future local manufacturing and sustainment.
In parallel, Lockheed Martin’s Australian division and Rheinmetall have initiated efforts to explore domestic support and maintenance solutions for the HIMARS fleet.
