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Australia will acquire twenty-two M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and munitions under a proposed US$975 million foreign military sale approved by the US State Department.
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US Congress was notified by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) of the possible sale on 18 August.
The sale would include the 22 HIMARS, sixty M30A1 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Alternative Warhead pods with Insensitive Munitions Propulsion System, as well as forty M31A1 GMLRS Unitary High Explosive pods with IMPS.
The request also entails the purchase of sixty-six M30A2 Extended Range ER-GMLRS AW pods and twenty-four M31A2 ER GMLRS Unitary pods.
Reduced-range practice rocket pods, HIMARS intercom systems, M1084A2 HIMARS resupply vehicles, trailers, a forklift, side loader, machine gun mounts, laptops and associated equipment would also be acquired by Australia under the sale.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States. Australia is one of our most important allies in the western Pacific,” the DSCA statement said.
“The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region.
“It is vital to the US national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defence capability.
“The proposed sale will improve Australia’s capability to meet current and future threats and will enhance interoperability with US forces and other allied forces.
“Australia will use the capability to strengthen its homeland defence and provide greater security for its critical infrastructure. Australia will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”
Lockheed Martin, L3Harris Corporation, Leonardo DRS and Oshkosh Corporation have been selected as the principal contractors.
