Australia has formally selected Lockheed Martin’s HIMARS launcher and Precision Strike Missile to strengthen its long-range strike capability, choosing the system over the StrikeMaster proposal from Thales and Kongsberg. StrikeMaster paired Naval Strike Missiles with a locally built Bushmaster vehicle, but Canberra opted for the more established HIMARS family. The decision also includes creation of a second long-range fires regiment at the Edinburgh Defence Precinct in South Australia. The new regiment is expected to support strike operations at ranges up to 500 kilometers, with future upgrades planned to exceed 1,000 kilometers in line with national defense goals. Australia is investing up to A$37 billion over the next decade to improve targeting networks and deep-strike systems. The first HIMARS units were delivered in March 2025 and assigned to the initial regiment. During Exercise Talisman Sabre 25, Australia successfully test-fired a Precision Strike Missile two years ahead of schedule and also launched its first domestically produced GMLRS rocket. Canberra and Lockheed Martin have additionally explored integrating Australian industry into sustainment and supply chains, while agreements signed in 2025 could eventually enable local manufacture and maintenance of PrSM systems.
