Australia signs long-range precision strike missile agreement with the United States

The Australian Government has taken the next step towards increasing the ADF’s long-range strike capabilities and supporting domestic defence industry with the establishment of a new cooperative program with the United States for the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) which has a range of some 500km.

Australia and the United States have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for PrSM production, sustainment and follow-on development. The MoU provides the ADF access to PrSM munitions and establishes PrSM as a cooperative program between Australia and the United States.

This opens the door for Australian industry participation in the PrSM supply chain, including for locally manufactured components and sub-components, said Defence in a statement.

Defence is contributing approximately $310 million over 10 years to become a full cooperative partner in the PrSM program. Defence will also invest around $150 million over the next five years to acquire the initial quantities of the capability required to establish the first Long Range Fires Regiment.

The MoU also provides options for future domestic manufacturing and maintenance of PrSM in Australia, it adds, with negotiations on options expected to commence later this year. No decisions have been announced as yet on whether the ADF will first field Increment 1 of PrSM or go straight to Increment 2, which has a moving target seeker head being developed partly by Defence’s Science and Technology Group (DSTG).

“Australia’s capability and technology cooperation with the United States is a critical part of our Alliance,” said Richard Marles, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence. “The … Government’s investment in the Precision Strike Missile will expand and accelerate land-based long-range strike capabilities.”

The MoU builds on the outcomes of the 2024 Australia United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN).

“This demonstrates our commitment to deliver on priorities outlined in the 2024 National Defence Strategy, to accelerate acquisition of long-range land and maritime strike capabilities and adopt a Strategy of Denial,” said Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Industry. “Through this cooperative program, the Australian Army will contribute to and acquire the latest technology required to counter current and future threats.

PrSM can be fired from High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HiMARS) launch vehicles. The first of these vehicles arrived in Australia in March 2025, giving the Australian Army a world‑leading strike capability.