ADF to test HIMARS concepts with US Army in WA

Land

28 June 2023

By: Robert Dougherty

A HIMARS strike package vehicle commander from the 17th Field Artillery Brigade at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, receives the order to move his convoy to the Port of Tacoma in preparation for shipping the vehicles to Australia for Exercise Talisman Sabre on May 9, 2023, at Joint Base Lewis- McChord, Washington. Photo: U.S. Army Sgt. Joshua OhI Corps Public Affairs.

The Australian Defence Force will be testing land-based precision long-range rocket artillery and maritime strike missiles during Exercise Highball in July.

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The combined Australian Headquarters Joint Operations Command and US Indo-Pacific Command initiative will be based at Lancelin north of Perth and south-west of Perth in the Western Australia Exercise Area.

Air, land, space, and maritime capabilities are expected to send targeting data to a US Army High Mobility Artillery Rocket System platoon to test long-range fires concepts.

Chief of Joint Operations Lieutenant General Greg Bilton said the exercise demonstrates the ADF’s commitment to the Defence Strategic Review 2023 recommendation that the introduction into Australian service of a HIMARS and a land-based maritime strike capability is accelerated and expanded.

“The need to integrate land-based, long-range fires into the ADF’s operational capability is urgent and the close and dynamic relationship we enjoy with INDOPACOM means we can meet this priority,” LTGEN Bilton said.

“By using a US Army HIMARS strike package and US military shipping already in Australia for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023, we can advance our understanding of projecting and employing HIMARS and maritime strike missiles within a shorter timeframe.

“The exercise will also enhance US interoperability with the ADF’s targeting capabilities and the operational employment of land-based precision multi-domain fires.”