Australia to spend $2.71bn on production and purchase of M142 HIMARS high-precision missiles and systems

The Australian government has confirmed a multi-billion dollar investment to acquire a large number of high-precision missiles. The country will also be setting up production of long-range munitions.

Here's What We Know

Australia is investing A$1.6bn ($1.06bn) to acquire long-range strike capability. This includes the M142 HIMARS highly mobile artillery system and Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), which at this stage of development (Increment 1) has a launch range of 500km.

The Australian government is investing A$2.5 billion ($1.65 billion) more to establish guided ammunition production in the country. In this case we are talking not only about missiles, but also about artillery ammunition of 155 mm caliber.

Specific plans will be submitted to the government for consideration by the middle of next year. A$4.1bn ($2.71bn) will be part of the A$19bn ($12bn) funding to achieve the priorities laid out in the Strategic Defence Review (DSR).

The 116-page document was prepared at the request of the Australian government. It is authored by former Defence Minister Stephen Smith and former Defence Force chief Angus Houston.

We have previously written about some of the points from the DSR. In particular, Australia will refuse to buy B-21 Raider nuclear bombers, arm its fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jets with AGM-158C LRASM and JSM missiles, and focus on developing the MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone.

Source: Australian Defence Magazine