Australia Signs Deal To Produce Lockheed Martin Missiles

Australia’s Department of Defence (DOD) has signed a USD24.7 million deal with Lockheed Martin Australia for the manufacture of guided multiple launch rocket system (GMLRS) missile from 2025 onwards in western Sydney’s Defence Establishment Orchard Hills.

The initial batch of GMLRS missiles are to be produced in Australia, a significant stride towards domestic missile production on an enlarged scale which will facilitate technology transfer from the US, as well as establish and further build technical skills of Australia’s workforce.

According to Acting Defence Minister and Defence Industry Minister, Pat Conroy, the Australian government will also procure precision strike missiles (PrSM) that can reach as far as 500km. Both the PrSM and GMLRS missiles can be launched from the Lockheed Martin M142 high mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS) platform. He further added that the move would reinforce the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) ability to safeguard Australia. It is part of a USD2.7 billion investment for the DOD to procure more long-range strike systems and produce ordnance with more range within the country.

In Aug last year, the US Department of State greenlit a possible sale of around 22 M142 HIMARS along with related ordnance and equipment to Australia via the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme for an estimated price tag of USD975 million.shp/adj/dl (Pix:Lockheed Martin)