Australia Acquires New Missile Launchers and Purchases $200 Million Worth of Missiles for AUKUS Submarines
2 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) launcher vehicles have arrived in Australia as the government places an order for $200 million worth of missiles for AUKUS submarines.
Australia continues to procure U.S.-made weaponry, receiving two HIMARS launcher vehicles and ordering $200 million ($125 million) worth of MK-48 heavy torpedos for use on its AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines.
The HIMARS, part of the 42 ordered for the Australian Defence Force (ADF), provide long-range precision strike capability at distances exceeding 500 kilometers (310 miles).
These vehicles will be stationed at the newly established 10th Fires Brigade in Adelaide.
The government aims to support the Australian defense industry and create new employment opportunities sooner by expediting the delivery of vehicles, with plans for a facility to locally produce HIMARS-compatible and other guided missiles.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy stated, “This fulfills our promise to accelerate the acquisition of HIMARS, now scheduled to be fully operational four years ahead of the former Morrison-Dutton Government’s timeline.”
“HIMARS is a cutting-edge capability, offering precise firepower at extended ranges, resulting in a more than tenfold increase in the Army’s striking distance,” he added.
Conroy also announced the procurement of $200 million worth of MK-48 heavy torpedos, which will initially enhance the capabilities of Australia’s Collins-class submarines and later be outfitted on the forthcoming AUKUS Virginia-class submarines.
The acquisition of the MK-48 Heavy Weight Torpedo aligns with Australia’s deep and enduring alliance with the United States, Conroy emphasized.
