Australia and United States sign Joint Statement of Intent on guided weapons

The governments of Australia and the United States and Defence prime contractor Lockheed Martin havesigned a Joint Statement of Intent on co-production of guided weapons. The two governments have also opened a new joint office in Huntsville, Alabama, to enhance bilateral cooperation in this critical domain.

These initiatives are underpinned by Defence’s investment of up to $21 billion over the decade to establish a sovereign Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise, boosting Australia’s industrial capacity and supporting thousands of jobs in Australia’s defence industry, says the Department.

The signing of the Joint Statement of Intent also marks a significant milestone in Australia’s efforts to build a sovereign GWEO Enterprise. It represents a deepening of Australia’s strategic partnership with the USA and a shared commitment to building a resilient, interoperable and sovereign capability, it adds.

“This Statement of Intent reaffirms the strength of our longstanding alliance with the United States and our mutual interest in contributing to regional and international security,” says Pat Conroy. Minister for Defence Industry.

“This milestone is a clear demonstration of our shared commitment to building a resilient and interoperable industrial capacity for both Australia and the United States. The statement reflects the Albanese Government’s determination to accelerate the delivery of advanced capabilities that help keep Australians safe, while strengthening our defence industrial base.”

Signature paves the way for further co-development and production of critical long-range fires, beginning with variants of the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) family of munitions and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM).

Importantly, it also acknowledges that, for guided weapons manufacturing in Australia to be a viable and sustainable capability, Australia will need to produce more guided weapons than the ADF needs. So it also recognises the Australian Government’s objective to manufacture guided weapons that could be integrated into the US-led global supply chain.

Australia is on track for the production of GMLRS munitions before the end of 2025, with a view to manufacturing more advanced weapons such as PrSM and others in the future. Australia and the United States have deepened cooperation on the PrSM program with the opening of the joint office which will serve as the central hub for coordination between Australia and the United States on the acquisition and development of the PrSM capability and will oversee its production and sustainment.

PrSM is a long-range missile with a maximum range beyond 500 kilometres and is central to strengthening Australia’s land and maritime strike capability.