Government commits to $2.3bn doubling of Army long-range strike fleet

At the centre of the decision is the expansion of the Army’s use of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and the acquisition of the next-generation Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), following what Defence described as a comprehensive competitive evaluation process.

The new regiment will be based at the Edinburgh Defence Precinct, building on the Army’s existing long-range fires unit and cementing South Australia’s growing role in Australia’s defence industrial base.

The move comes as the 2026 National Defence Strategy calls for a sharper focus on long-range strike and deterrence, amid intensifying strategic competition across the Indo-Pacific.

Under the plan, the additional regiment will dramatically increase the Army’s ability to strike targets at distances of up to 500 kilometres, with future upgrades to the PrSM expected to push that range beyond 1,000 kilometres.

Defence officials said this capability is critical to protecting Australia’s northern approaches, supporting joint operations and contributing to sea denial strategies, particularly in scenarios where air and maritime assets may be contested.

Minister Marles stressed the importance of this capability acquisition, saying, “This capability delivers on the National Defence Strategy direction to accelerate and expand the acquisition of land-based long-range fires to provide the ADF with a deployable strike capability to protect Australia’s northern approaches and contribute to sea control and sea denial.”

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The investment forms part of a broader $37 billion commitment outlined in the 2026 Integrated Investment Program, aimed at transforming how the Australian Defence Force identifies, tracks and engages targets across land, sea, air, space and cyber domains.

Rather than operating in isolation, the Army’s HIMARS units are intended to plug into a wider “kill chain”, integrating with Royal Australian Air Force surveillance assets and Royal Australian Navy platforms to deliver coordinated long-range effects.

This reflects a shift away from traditional, platform-centric warfare towards highly networked, data-driven operations, a key theme of Australia’s evolving defence posture.

HIMARS is already in service with the Army, with the first regiment having demonstrated its capability during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, where it successfully fired a PrSM two years ahead of schedule.

The addition of a second regiment will not only increase firepower but also improve redundancy, sustainment and deployment flexibility, particularly for operations across Australia’s vast northern and western regions.

A major component of the announcement is the continued push to establish a domestic guided weapons industry.

Australia recently test-fired its first locally produced Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System missile from a HIMARS launcher, marking a key milestone in efforts to build sovereign manufacturing capability.

In parallel, Australia and the United States have formalised a cooperative program to support future domestic production of the PrSM, with local industry expected to play a growing role in supplying components and subsystems.

Minister Conroy said the expansion of HIMARS and PrSM would drive further demand for Australian-made missiles, creating opportunities for local manufacturers and strengthening supply chain resilience.

“We’re already making missiles that can be fired from the HIMARS – and this decision will create even more demand for PrSM missiles within the Australian Army and deliver more opportunities for PrSM manufacture in Australia,” he said.

The expansion of long-range fires represents a fundamental shift in how the Australian Army contributes to joint and coalition operations.

Traditionally focused on close combat and stabilisation missions, the Army is increasingly being positioned as a key player in long-range strike, a role once dominated by air and naval forces.

For Australia, this provides a more survivable and deployable strike option, particularly in high-threat environments where forward bases and airfields may be vulnerable. The acquisition also deepens interoperability with key allies, particularly the United States, which has been rapidly expanding its own HIMARS and long-range fires capabilities in response to evolving global threats.

Minister Marles added: “This is a decisive investment in Australia’s long‑range strike capability that will bolster our Defence Force and help keep Australians safe.”

As the strategic outlook continues to deteriorate, the government’s investment signals a clear intent: to build a more lethal, resilient and self-reliant force capable of deterring conflict and, if necessary, projecting power across the region.

Stephen Kuper

Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.