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The first pair of High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher vehicles have been delivered to Australia from the United States.
The Australian government has announced the successful delivery of the first of 42 long-range precision strike capability HIMARS on 24 March.
The vehicles were acquired under a $1.6 billion program to accelerate and expand the acquisition of HIMARS in response to the Defence Strategic Review. The vehicles are expected to provide world-leading strike capability with Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System and the Precision Strike Missile munitions able to strike at ranges of more than 500 kilometres.
“The Albanese government has delivered on its promise to rapidly acquire long-range strike capability for the Australian Defence Force,” Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said.
“We are making record investments to ensure the Australian Defence Force has the capability it needs, when it needs it to keep Australians safe while also supporting a future made in Australia.
“This is a proud moment for our Army, and for Australia.”
Also announced by the federal government, in response to the DSR, is the recently established 10th Fires Brigade in Adelaide, where the HIMARS will be based.
The accelerated delivery of HIMARS will also support Australian defence industry and the creation of new jobs sooner, with the federal government also investing in a facility to locally manufacture HIMARS-compatible and other guided missiles.
There is no greater responsibility than defending Australia and the federal government is increasing Defence funding to historic levels over the next decade, including record spending on the acquisition of new capabilities for the ADF, according to Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy.
“This delivers on our commitment to accelerate the acquisition of HIMARS, which are now on track to be fully operational four years ahead of the schedule of the former Morrison-Dutton government,” he said.
“HIMARS is a world-leading capability, delivering accurate firepower at long ranges, resulting in a more than tenfold increase in Army’s striking range.
“This is about equipping our ADF right now with state-of-the-art capabilities that enables it to operate effectively on land, sea and in the air to deter aggression and safeguard Australians.
“Equally crucial will be the munitions and support systems that sit behind HIMARS – and that’s why we’re manufacturing Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System missiles in Australia this year, to reinforce robust domestic supply chains that we control and create local jobs.”
