Australia gets US approval to purchase 20 HIMARS rocket artillery system

 

A M142 HIMARS launcher of the US Army during Red Flag Alaska Exercises in 2020. Photo c/o US Air Force.

The US State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sales (US FMS) of HIMARS rocket artillery systems to Australia, with an estimated cost of US$385 million.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has sent the notification to the US Congress on the potential sale on 26 May 2022.

Among the items included in the proposed sale are 20 M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), 30 M30A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS), 30 Alternative Warhead Pods with Insensitive Munitions Propulsion Systems (IMPS); 30 M31A2 GMLRS Unitary (GMLRS-U) High Explosive Pods with IMPS; 30 XM403 Extended Range (ER)-GMLRS AW Pods; 30 EM404 ER GMLRS Unitary Pods; and 10 M57 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).  

Also included are Reduced Range Practice Rocket Pods (RRPRP); Vehicular Intercom System (AN/VIC-3) 3-Station; radio communication mounts; machine gun mounts; battle management system vehicle integration kits; wheel guards; ruggedized laptops; training equipment publications; spare and repair parts; support equipment; tools; test equipment; technical data; U.S. Government and Contractor support; technical and logistical support services; and other related elements of program and logistic support.

The principal contractors will be American companies Lockheed Martin and L3 Harris Corporation, and UK-based company Chelton Inc.

The HIMARS will provide the Australian Army will increased artillery capability beyond its current inventory of howitzers, with the HIMARS providing increased range and potential to use longer-ranged ballistic missiles.

The acquisition of a new, long range rocket artillery system is part of the Australian 2016 Defence White Paper and was confirmed in the Australian 2020 Defence Strategic Update and Force Structure Plan.




[1] US Defense Security Cooperation Agency
[2] Australian Defence Magazine
[3] Asia Pacific Defence Reporter