Australia tests first domestically assembled GMLRS missile

Published: 2026-04-14 17:01:31 ET LMT

Published on 04/14/2026 at 05:01 pm EDT

Key takeaways

The Australian Army recently celebrated a major milestone with the test launch of its first locally assembled Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS). This successful test, carried out at the Woomera Test Range in South Australia, marks a crucial step towards Australia’s goal of producing long-range weapons on its own soil.

Plans for domestic production

This was the third live-fire test for the Australian Army’s HIMARS since their arrival in March 2025, launched from an M142 HIMARS launcher. With 42 HIMARS launchers on order, Australia is committed to strengthening its defence capabilities. The establishment of a Lockheed Martin production facility in Port Wakefield, South Australia, last December further underlines this commitment.

There are plans to increase the use of locally manufactured components over the coming years, ultimately leading to full domestic production instead of merely assembling components manufactured abroad. This initiative has positioned Australia as the only country outside the United States capable of producing GMLRS rockets, opening doors for Australian industry to participate in global supply chains.

Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy hailed this achievement as an “important milestone” for Australia’s sovereign guided weapons capability, demonstrating progress towards self-reliance and a future in which defence is “made in Australia”. The GMLRS is a flagship example of the Australian Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise, which is aimed at establishing independent production capabilities for a range of weapons.

A bilateral agreement between the Australian and US governments, signed in March 2024, provides for an annual production capacity of up to 4,000 GMLRS rockets, exceeding Australia’s own needs. This surplus production capacity clearly points to Lockheed Martin’s intention to tap into global markets.

Integration into the global supply chain

James Heading, director and general manager of Missiles and Fire Control at Lockheed Martin Australia, underlined the company’s focus on both the Australian market and integration into the global supply chain. He noted that GMLRS production will be ramped up in 2026, as Lockheed Martin Australia moves from a risk-reduction phase to the initial production phase.

Heading went on to explain that the company is closely aligning its processes, procedures and software with the facility in Camden, Arkansas, in the US, to ensure seamless integration with the American production cycle.

Although GMLRS is an important milestone, it does not yet meet Australia’s ambition for “impactful projection” through long-range strike capabilities. Lockheed Martin Australia has designated the Extended Range variant, with a range of 93 miles (around 149.6 kilometres), as the logical next step in this development, Defense News reports.

Future long-range capabilities

The Australian Department of Defence highlights the role of GMLRS rockets produced in Australia in paving the way for future production of long-range munitions, including the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) and hypersonic weapons.

A memorandum of understanding signed in June 2025 between Australia and the United States formalises cooperation on PrSM production, including maintenance and further development. This agreement creates opportunities for the assembly of PrSM missiles in Australia. Canberra is investing heavily, around 224 million dollars (approximately 210 million euros) over ten years, to become a full-fledged PrSM cooperation partner, with an additional 106 million dollars (about 99 million euros) allocated over the next five years for the purchase of an initial batch of missiles.

(jw)(fc)

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