Australia and the United States have signed a Joint Statement of Intent to explore co-production of guided weapons and opened a joint office to support cooperation in the sector.
Announced in Washington DC, the agreement between the Australian Government, the United States Department of War, and Lockheed Martin Corporation marks a milestone in Australia’s effort to develop a sovereign Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise.
The Albanese Government said it has committed up to $21 billion over the next decade to establish this enterprise, which aims to boost local manufacturing capacity and support thousands of jobs within Australia’s defence industry.
According to the Australian Government, the Joint Statement of Intent lays the foundation for further co-development and production of long-range guided weapons, beginning with variants from the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM).
The statement also notes that for guided weapons manufacturing in Australia to be sustainable, production must exceed the requirements of the Australian Defence Force.
It also notes the government’s aim to explore the integration of locally made guided weapons into the US-led global supply chain, potentially involving Australia in broader international production and logistics networks.
Production of GMLRS munitions in Australia is expected to begin before the end of 2025, with plans to manufacture more advanced weapons in the future.
The agreement coincides with the establishment of a joint office in Huntsville, Alabama, dedicated to coordinating Australia–US cooperation on the PrSM program.
The office will oversee acquisition, production, and sustainment efforts, serving as a central hub for the partners’ collaboration.
PrSM is a long-range missile system capable of reaching targets beyond 500 kilometres, regarded as a key capability for strengthening Australia’s land and maritime strike readiness.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said the agreement represents a significant advancement in bilateral industrial cooperation.
“This Statement of Intent reaffirms the strength of our longstanding alliance with the United States and our mutual interest in contributing to regional and international security,” Mr Conroy said.
“This milestone is a clear demonstration of our shared commitment to building a resilient and interoperable industrial capacity for both Australia and the United States.
“The statement reflects the Albanese Government’s determination to accelerate the delivery of advanced capabilities that help keep Australians safe, while strengthening our defence industrial base.”
