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The Australian Army will select either HIMARS or StrikeMaster launcher vehicles to provide land-based, long-range fires in Northern Australia, under a new announcement this week.
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The officials are rapidly pushing ahead to equip the Australian Army with a second long-range fires regiment, according to a statement from the Federal Government released on December 6.
In line with the priorities of the 2024 National Defence Strategy, the Australian Army must be equipped with land-based, long-range fires to protect Australia’s northern approaches.
The Government will select from two options:
The Precision Strike Missile fired from the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher vehicle.
The Naval Strike Missile fired from the StrikeMaster launcher vehicle.
To inform this selection process, a competitive evaluation process will occur over the course of 2025.
“The National Defence Strategy and our Government’s response recognises that land‑based maritime strike is a critical element in achieving a strategy of denial,” according to Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles.
“Today’s announcement represents another historic milestone, which will see our Army equipped with this capability for the first time in history.”
This follows the Federal Government’s decision in August 2023 to accelerate the acquisition of 42 land-based, surface-to-surface HIMARS launchers and precision munitions for the Australian Army.
Together, these capabilities will see two regiments based at the Edinburgh Defence Precinct in South Australia equipped with long-range fires.
The Federal Government is investing $28–35 billion over the next decade to develop and enhance targeting and long-range strike capabilities across Defence.
The provision of a long-range maritime strike capability for the Australian Army is another significant milestone towards delivering an integrated, focused Australian Defence Force, equipped to respond to Australia’s complex strategic circumstances.
“This announcement is another example of the Albanese Government delivering on its commitment to modernise the ADF and keep Australians safe,” according to Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy.
“With today’s announcement, we are accelerating the delivery of a land-based maritime strike capability that will bolster our ADF and at the same time provide a path to grow the Australian defence industry.”
Details of the decision to approve a tender process between the StrikeMaster and High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) were initially leaked to the ABC on December 4. Including details that the vehicles would be considered under Project LAND 8113 phase two.
