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Kongsberg Defence has teased an upcoming major announcement for their new StrikeMaster launcher vehicle being marketed as the Australian Defence Force’s next land-based long-range fires capability.
StrikeMaster, a collaborative project between Kongsberg Defence Australia and Thales Australia, is currently being marketed towards Defence for their Project LAND 8113 phase two against Lockheed Martin’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) for the ADF’s next land-based maritime strike capability.
“StrikeMaster is on the move. Something big is coming; something that will elevate Australia’s sovereign Defence capability. Watch this space,” according to the public teaser from Kongsberg.
“StrikeMaster ready for departure.”
Under the competition, government would choose either Naval Strike Missiles fired from the StrikeMaster launcher vehicle or Precision Strike Missiles fired from the HIMARS launcher vehicle.
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.
Defence has previously confirmed that to inform the selection process, a competitive evaluation process will occur over the course of this year.
“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,” Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said.
“(This) announcement represents another historic milestone, which will see our Army equipped with this capability for the first time in history.”
