Defence to acquire PrSM and more HiMARS

Defence will spend $2.3 billion over the coming decade establishing a second long-range fires regiment and equipping it with the Lockheed Martin Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) and more M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HiMARS) launch vehicles.

This is understood to be the Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile (SBASM) capability sought by Defence under Project LAND8113. Lockheed Martin was up against Kongsberg which offered the StrikeMaster, a Naval Strike Missile (NSM) in a two-round launcher fired from a Thales Bushmaster. The US Marine Corps operate the NSM in a similar role.

EX² understands the new regiment will be 15 Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery. This second long‑range fires regiment, equipped with PrSM Increment 1 and 2, will significantly enhance the ADF’s ability to engage targets at ranges of at least 500kms, transforming to more than 1,000kms with Increment 4 of PrSM, says Defence (the manufacturer of Increment 4 has not been selected as yet). This will increase Australia’s capacity to respond effectively to contingencies in our region and work with allies and partners, it adds.

The existing HiMARS and Guided Multiple-Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) currently equip the Army’s 14 Regiment, which is part of the new 10^th long-range fires Brigade based at the Edinburgh Defence Precinct in South Australia. Lockheed Martin assembles the GMLRS in a new facility at Port Wakefield, SA.

“The Albanese Government is investing up to $37 billion over the next decade on targeting and long-range strike capabilities for the ADF,” said Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Industry.

“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.” PrSM Increment 1 is designed primarly for static targets; Increment 2 will have a Moving Target Indication (MTI) seeker.

As set out in the recently released 2026 Integrated Investment Program (IIP), Defence is investing up to $37 billion over the next decade, including enabling data and systems, to develop and enhance the Royal Australian Navy, Army and the Royal Australian Air Force’s targeting and long-range strike capabilities.

Some 42 HIMARS have already been ordered and the first of these are in service. These launchers were used at Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 in north Queensland, firing a PrSM two years earlier than planned. 15 Regiment will complement Army’s existing HIMARS capability – delivering a proven, highly mobile and lethal strike system aligned with Australia’s strategic and operational requirements.

Defence says it is also establishing a sovereign missile manufacturing industry in Australia, including missiles fired from the HIMARS launcher. It’s unclear whether or not the current Pt Wakefield assembly site is permanent or if manufacture will be shifted to another site elsewhere in Australia.

The first Australian-assembled GMLRS missile was test-fired by an Australian HIMARS this month, and last year Australia and the United States established a cooperative program for PrSM to pave the way for future domestic production. Both missiles will have Australian industry participation in their supply chains, including for locally manufactured components and sub-components.