Overview

• Australian Army test-fired a Lockheed Martin Precision Strike Missile from a HIMARS at Mount Bundey, marking the first operational launch outside the United States with pinpoint strikes beyond 300 miles
• The live-fire took place two years ahead of schedule after early deliveries under a bilateral memorandum of understanding and sets the stage for this year’s negotiations on local production and sustainment
• United States and allied forces flew a HIMARS launcher to Christmas Island in a rapid infiltration exercise, validating mobile long-range precision fires and bolstering launcher survivability
• Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said the successful test advances the government’s goal of a 25-fold increase in the Army’s strike capability under Australia’s 2024 defence strategy
• Co-development partners plan next-generation PrSM upgrades exceeding 1,000 kilometres with improved sensors and novel warheads to strengthen Indo-Pacific deterrence