Australia has requested to buy 54 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Alternate Warhead (AW) rockets worth US$91.2 million under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) scheme, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DCSA) announced on 10 March.
According to the DSCA, the proposed deal – which has already been approved by the US Department of State – will also include telemetry kits, engineering services, technical assistance, and related logistics and programme support.
“Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific,” said the DSCA.
“The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the Western Pacific,” it added. “It is vital to the US national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.”
Australia is expecting to imminently receive the first batch of Lockheed Martin M142 High-Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), a total of 42 which were ordered for the Australian Army in two batches in 2022 and 2023.
The US government also agreed to supply GMLRS AW pods with Insensitive Munitions Propulsion Systems (IMPSs) as part of these two deals. The weapon type comprises a 91 kg fragmenting warhead that is claimed to be effective against personnel and lightly armoured vehicles, and is designed to greatly reduce the risk of unexploded ordnance (UXO).
The first batch of HIMARS systems is expected to be delivered to Australia from 2025, with final delivery of all 42 systems on order by the end of 2027.
The Australian government earlier announced plans for further investments in developing an indigenous guided weapon subsystems and rocket motor manufacturing capability to support advanced missile production within the country.
The Department of Defence (DoD) said in a September 2024 statement that the government will invest an initial A$22 million over the next three years to develop rocket motors, which is says are a critical component for guided weapons including the GMLRS which are expected to be manufactured in Australia from 2025.
The DoD added that it expects a rocket motor complex to commence operations by the end of the decade, and is underpinned by the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise is being funded by up to A$21 billion over the decade through the 2024 Integrated Investment Program.
by Jr Ng
