Australian Army test fires PrSM

Defence has announced the test firing of a Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) in Australia at the Mt Bundey Training Area in the Northern Territory. PrSM is a next generation long-range missile manufactured by Lockheed Martin and has a maximum range beyond 500km. It is central to strengthening Australia’s land and maritime strike capability, says Defence in a statement.

The successful test firing was a tangible demonstration of how Army is realising speed to capability and was also the first time Army has fired a PrSM from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), Defence adds.

The test firing was attended by the Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy and United States Secretary of the Army Daniel.

“Today’s PrSM firing is another example of the Albanese Government accelerating long-range strike capabilities for the ADF, alongside the firing of Standard Missile 6, the Tomahawk missile and the Naval Strike Missile last year,” said Conroy, pointing out that both HiMARS and PrSM are ahead of schedule. “This successful launch is a significant milestone in the Government’s plan to deliver a twenty-five-fold increase to Army’s long-range strike capability.”

All four currently approved Increments of PrSM will be built in Australia by Lockheed Martin at a still to be disclosed Australian Guided Weapons Manufacturing Complex (GWMC). Its Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) will also be built in Australia at a new Rocket Motor Manufacturing Complex (RMMC) which, again, hasn’t been named as yet.

The acquisition of PrSM, says Defence, delivers on the 2024 National Defence Strategy, which directed the Army to optimise for littoral manoeuvre and strengthen its long-range land and maritime strike capability.

This successful test was two years ahead of schedule and followed the delivery of the first PrSM a year ahead of schedule, as well as the first HIMARS two months ahead of schedule. It comes after Australia and the USA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) earlier this year for PrSM production, sustainment and follow-on development.

Australia and the United States, as co-development partners, will continue to develop PrSM to maintain its world leading military advantage, says Defence. Future missile upgrades will expand this capability to include a greater range of over 1000 kilometres, improved sensors and novel warheads.