The US State Department has given the green light to a potential $705 million sale of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and associated equipment to Australia. The comprehensive package includes 48 M142 HIMARS units, resupply vehicles, practice rocket pods, communication equipment, trailers, and a wide range of logistics and support elements. Principal US defense contractors involved in the deal are Lockheed Martin, L3Harris, Leonardo DRS, and Oshkosh Corporation.
According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, this deal aligns with US foreign policy by enhancing Canberra’s defense posture and supporting national security objectives. The new systems are expected to significantly bolster Australia’s homeland defense and prevent threats to critical infrastructure, while also improving military cooperation and interoperability between the US and Australia.
Canberra had already demonstrated strong interest in the system, ordering up to 42 HIMARS units in 2023 after observing their exceptional performance in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. The effectiveness of the US-made launchers in that war underscored their value for rapid, precision strikes.
Australia received its first HIMARS in March 2025 and quickly put the system to the test. During a joint military exercise with the US and allied nations in July, Australia successfully launched the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) from a HIMARS platform. The missile hit its target over 300 kilometers away in just over four minutes, marking a major leap in the Australian Army’s long-range strike capabilities and delivering a twenty-five-fold increase in reach, as noted by Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy.
