Located outside the U.S., the first production line for GMLRS missiles for the M142 HIMARS is now operational in Australia. The first batch is scheduled for production in mid-March 2026, expected within the coming weeks.
The work is being carried out by a new enterprise in Port Wakefield, South Australia, opened in early December 2025. Assembly is currently carried out using American components, with plans to localize production in the future.
Read more: New UNITED24 Video Reveals Launch Process of Ukraine's FP-5 Flamingo Missile
Overall, Australia aims to achieve an annual production of 4,000 GMLRS missiles by 2029. There are also plans to start manufacturing PrSM ballistic missiles, which currently have a range of 500 km, with future variants reaching 1,000 km.
Australia is actively working to ensure its industry can produce all necessary weapon components. This effort aims to reduce the Australian military's reliance on other countries.
The production of precision weapons is part of a broader investment program in ammunition manufacturing. In total, the volume of investment is expected to reach $21 billion, confirming the country's desire for localization.
At the same time, supplies can be made not only for the needs of the Australian armed forces, but also for export. This means it will be possible to replenish the stocks of other operators of the M270 and M142 HIMARS MLRS, including Ukraine.
In 2025, the American company Lockheed Martin produced 14,000 GMLRS missiles and is working to further increase output, including through licensed production abroad. This is becoming even more necessary in light of the White House's pledge to quadruple production.
Australia recently received its first localized South Korean 155 mm K9 self-propelled howitzers. Australia is also working to acquire nuclear submarines from the U.S. under the AUKUS program, but there is a risk that Washington may refuse to sell them.
Read more: Replacing ATACMS: New U.S. PrSM Missile Makes Combat Debut in Operation Epic Fury
