The Australian government has confirmed a A$2.3bn ($1.6bn) investment over the decade in US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM).
The systems were chosen after competitive evaluation, and will enhance the Australian Army’s long-range strike capability, the government said in a statement on 28 April 2026.
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With this investment, a second long-range fires regiment will also be established at the Edinburgh Defence Precinct in South Australia.
The new regiment is intended to engage targets up to 500 kilometres (km) away, with future PrSM upgrades expected to extend this reach beyond 1,000km.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said: “This is a decisive investment in Australia’s long range strike capability that will bolster our Defence Force and help keep Australians safe.
“This capability delivers on the National Defence Strategy direction to accelerate and expand the acquisition of land-based long-range fires to provide the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with a deployable strike capability to protect Australia’s northern approaches and contribute to sea control and sea denial.”
This announcement forms part of a broader defence initiative, detailed in the 2026 Integrated Investment Program, which earmarks up to A$37bn over the coming decade to upgrade targeting and strike operations across the Royal Australian Navy, Army, and Air Force.
HIMARS units have already entered service with the Australian Army in a previous long-range fires regiment.
Earlier this month, the Army test-fired an Australian-made Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missile from a HIMARS vehicle.
ADF used HIMARS launchers to fire a PrSM at Exercise Talisman Sabre 25, two years before originally planned.
The Defence Ministry emphasises that the second regiment will build on the capabilities of the existing units, supporting operational requirements for mobile, deployable strike systems.
Australian industry will participate in the missiles’ supply chains, including domestic manufacturing of components and sub-components.
The government aims to develop a sovereign missile manufacturing industry, including production for missiles compatible with the HIMARS launcher.
Last year, Australia and the US established a cooperative PrSM development programme, creating a pathway for future local production.
Australia Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said: “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.”
In late 2025, the US State Department approved a $705m Foreign Military Sale to Australia, which included M142 HIMARS launchers and support equipment.
