The Australian Government has moved to expand Australia’s defence manufacturing-linked capability and the Australian Army’s long-range strike capacity, selecting the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) in a $2.3 billion investment over the next decade.
In a news release by the Defence Department, the decision includes the establishment of a second long-range fires regiment at the Edinburgh Defence Precinct in South Australia and follows what Defence described as a comprehensive competitive evaluation process.
According to the department, the expansion is aligned with the 2026 National Defence Strategy, which identifies a requirement for increased long-range strike capability within the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
The second regiment is expected to extend the ADF’s ability to engage targets at ranges of up to 500 kilometres, with future increments of PrSM extending beyond 1,000 kilometres.
The government said the capability is intended to improve the ADF’s ability to respond to regional contingencies and operate alongside allies and partners.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the investment is a significant step in strengthening Defence capability.
“This is a decisive investment in Australia’s long-range strike capability that will bolster our Defence Force and help keep Australians safe,” Marles said.
He said the program is consistent with the strategic direction outlined in the National Defence Strategy.
“This capability delivers on the National Defence Strategy direction to accelerate and expand the acquisition of land-based long-range fires to provide the ADF with a deployable strike capability to protect Australia’s northern approaches and contribute to sea control and sea denial,” he said.
Marles said the investment reflects broader force development priorities.
“This is another significant milestone as the Albanese Government continues to invest in an integrated, focused force that meets our strategic circumstances,” he said.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said the government is also focused on building domestic manufacturing capacity alongside capability development.
“To defend Australia, our Army needs a stronger long-range strike capability – and we’re delivering it,” Conroy said, according to defence.gov.au.
He said the government is investing up to $37 billion over the next decade in targeting and long-range strike capabilities across the ADF.
“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,” he said.
HIMARS systems are already in service with the Australian Army under the first long-range fires regiment and were used during Exercise Talisman Sabre 25, where a Precision Strike Missile was fired two years ahead of schedule, Defence said.
The government said it is also advancing a sovereign missile manufacturing industry, with Australian industry participation in supply chains for both HIMARS-launched missiles and PrSM systems.
The first Australian-made Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missile was test-fired this month, while Australia and the United States established a cooperative PrSM program last year to support future domestic production.
