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Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System missiles are scheduled to commence domestic production from 2025 as part of a contract between Defence and Lockheed Martin Australia announced today.
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Valued at $37.4 million, the agreement will see the prime contractor transfer technical data to Australia, build a domestic workforce, and establish production processes ahead of manufacturing an initial batch of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles and launch pod containers in Australia.
A live fire demonstration is scheduled to occur in 2025.
The GMLRS is compatible with HIMARS, and the prime contractor has boasted that the capability has a 98 per cent accuracy rating, with a range of 15 to 70 kilometres and beyond. The United Sates’ Defense Security Cooperation Agency first gave Australia the greenlight to acquire the HIMARS in 2022.
Announced in 2021, the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise was designed to enhance Australia’s security posture without having to rely on international supply chains for the delivery of critical munitions.
The Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy also re-affirmed the government’s commitment to procuring Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) when announcing the agreement with Lockheed Martin Australia. Australia has been a member of the Precision Strike Missile program since 2021, and will enable Defence to engage targets out to 500 kilometres.
The recent contract will help Australia develop its domestic guided weapons and ordnance manufacturing capability as prioritised in the Defence Strategic Review, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles said.
“Signing this contract with Lockheed Martin Australia to begin the manufacturing of GMLRS in Australia from 2025 is another example of the Albanese government delivering key outcomes of the Defence Strategic Review,” DPM Marles outlined.
“These are important milestones which will see Australia gain the technology we need to establish a sovereign industry, providing opportunities for a highly-skilled workforce.”
In May, the Commonwealth announced that then Air Vice-Marshal Leon Phillips OAM had been appointed as the inaugural Chief of the GWEO Group. As part of the appointment, he was promoted to air marshal.
A total $4.1 billion has been committed to long-range strike systems, including acquisition and manufacturing, over the forward estimates.
The development of Australia’s domestic missile manufacturing capability has been delivered in close collaboration with our United States partners, Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said.
“This work is a clear demonstration of the ongoing collaboration between Australia and the United States on Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise – a key outcome of the Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations in July 2023.”
Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand chief executive Warren McDonald explained that the partnership is fundamental for establishing a domestic guided weapons manufacturing base, “as a GWEO strategic partner, we are proud to be awarded this important defence contract. The GWPC Risk Reduction Activity contract will provide a mechanism for swift knowledge and technology transfer and serve as a risk mitigator and pathfinder to future manufacture in Australia of the Lockheed Martin suite of guided weapons”.
