The US State Department has given the green light for a significant arms deal with Australia, approving the sale of precision-guided munitions valued at approximately $91.2 million. This agreement will see Australia acquire 54 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems-Alternate Warhead (GMLRS-AW) rounds, in addition to telemetry kits, engineering services, and other essential support.
In a statement, the State Department indicated that this sale is intended to bolster Australia’s national and territorial defense while enhancing interoperability with US military forces. Furthermore, the transaction aims to support the development of local industry as a new source of supply for Australian defense capabilities.
Lockheed Martin, headquartered in Texas, along with its Australian subsidiary, has been identified as the principal contractor for this sale. The partnership has already taken root, as Australia entered into a $24 million agreement with Lockheed Martin in January 2024 to commence production of GMLRS missiles domestically by 2025. This venture will involve the assembly of components that are to be sourced from the United States.
The initial contract was later expanded to incorporate the manufacturing of rocket motors and warheads for the GMLRS munitions produced in Australia, with Thales Australia tasked with supplying these critical components.
The GMLRS munitions are noted for their precision strike capabilities, allowing targets to be engaged effectively under various weather conditions. The GMLRS family includes several variants, such as the GMLRS-AW and the GMLRS Unitary, both of which boast a range that exceeds 70 kilometers (43 miles). There is also an extended-range variant capable of hitting targets at distances up to 150 kilometers (93 miles).
Particularly noteworthy, the alternate warhead variant is equipped with a fragmentation warhead weighing approximately 200 pounds (90 kilograms) and contains around 160,000 tungsten fragments. This design minimizes the potential hazards associated with unexploded ordnance, making it a safer option in operational theaters.
Moreover, the GMLRS-AW is compatible with the Australian armed forces’ existing M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and can also be launched from the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), thereby integrating seamlessly into Australia’s current military capabilities.
