Albanese Government continues to strengthen Army's long-range strike capability

The Australian Army has further expanded its fleet of High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers, as the Albanese Government continues to strengthen Australia’s long‑range strike capability.

Just one year after taking delivery of its first tranche of HIMARS the Australian has received a second tranche of HIMARS units from the United States, significantly enhancing the capability of Army’s 10th Fires Brigade long-range fires regiment, based in Adelaide. This delivery was achieved two years ahead of schedule. 

The milestone follows the Albanese Government’s announcement in April of an additional investment in HIMARS and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) through the establishment of a second long-range fires regiment. This will significantly enhance the ADF’s ability to engage targets at ranges of up to 500kms, transforming to more than 1,000kms with future increments of PrSM.

Today's announcement adds to the Australian Defence Force’s growing long-range strike capability, which at its peak will see up to 90 HIMARS units in service over the coming years across Army's first and second long-range fires regiments within the 10th Fires Brigade. 

This capability was demonstrated on Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, where Australia successfully fired a PrSM two years ahead of schedule.

Earlier this year, the first Australian-manufactured Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) missile was also successfully test-fired from an Australian HIMARS, and last year Australia and the United States established a cooperative PrSM program, paving the way for future domestic production.

Through the 2026 National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program, the Government is investing up to $37 billion to develop and enhance Defence’s long-range strike capabilities, and up to $36 billion over the decade to accelerate the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise.

As part of these investments, the Albanese Government is committed to developing a sovereign guided weapon manufacturing industry in Australia, strengthening our sovereign supply chain resilience and creating greater opportunities for Australian industry.

Missile production is already underway for the first time since the early 1970s at a new facility in South Australia, with a second factory set to open next year near Newcastle in New South Wales.

Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“These highly mobile systems are an incredibly important platform and the delivery of these additional units represents a significant leap in capability for the Australian Army.

“Our investments in Australia’s long-range strike capabilities are about equipping the ADF with the equipment it needs to keep Australians safe.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

“These new deliveries demonstrate our continued commitment to accelerate the acquisition of HIMARS, which are now on track to be fully operational four years ahead of schedule.

“The Albanese Government is investing up to $37 billion over the next decade on targeting and long-range strike capabilities for the Australian Defence Force.

“In addition, the Government is establishing a sovereign guided weapon manufacturing industry, manufacturing Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles here in Australia, with plans to expand this to include the co-production of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM). 

“This will provide Australian Army HIMARS regiments access to Australian-manufactured munitions, strengthening our sovereign industrial capability and enhancing supply chain resilience.” 

Media can access imagery and vision at Defence Imagery: Search: S20262243.