The US State Department has approved a possible $705-million sale of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and related equipment to Australia.
The package deal covers 48 M142 HIMARS, as well as M1084A2 HIMARS resupply vehicles, M1095 trailers, low-cost, reduced-range practice rocket pods, intercom systems, radio and communication mounts, spare parts, and related elements of logistics and program support.
The proposed sale’s principal contractors are Lockheed Martin, L3Harris, Leonardo DRS, and Oshkosh Corporation.
Ensuring the strong defense posture of Canberra through this potential sale supports US foreign policy and national security objectives, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
In addition, the deal will enable Australia to “strengthen its homeland defense and provide greater security for its critical infrastructure,” as well as improve interoperability with the US.
Long-Range Mobile Rocket System
Canberra ordered up to 42 M142 HIMARS in 2023, aiming to reinforce its armed forces’ long-range and precision strike capabilities after observing the US-made system’s effectiveness in the war between Ukraine and Russia.
It accepted its first HIMARS in March 2025, which was later used to successfully test-fire the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) for the first time during a multinational military exercise involving the US and other allies in July.
In that drill, the PrSM struck its target over 300 kilometers (186 miles) away in four minutes and three seconds, marking a milestone in the country’s efforts to “deliver a twenty-five-fold increase to Army’s long-range strike capability,” Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy stated.
