The test took place on April 9 at the Woomera Test Range in South Australia. It represents the first experimental firing of a locally manufactured GMLRS missile.
The surface-to-surface missile is designed to strike targets with precision beyond traditional artillery range. It is launched from the HIMARS platform acquired under the Australian Army’s long-range fires program.
The missiles were produced at a new facility in Port Wakefield, South Australia, which opened in December 2025. The production and assembly line was completed in just seven months, making it the second such facility globally after Lockheed Martin’s plant in Camden, Arkansas.
Australian authorities have indicated that the facility will support both domestic requirements and export opportunities. The country is now the only one outside the United States producing GMLRS missiles.
Australia has procured 42 HIMARS launchers through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program. In September 2025, the U.S. Department of State approved a potential sale of an additional 48 systems, although no final agreement has been confirmed.
The test also highlights progress in integrating HIMARS into operational use. It was the third live-fire conducted by Australian HIMARS since their delivery in March 2025, supporting accelerated training and initial operational capability.
The program is supported by a $320 million government investment to strengthen local industry. Australian suppliers are expected to be progressively integrated into the GMLRS supply chain.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said: “Making missiles in Australia is central to Australia’s national defence resilience.” He added: “Australia is now the only country outside the United States to make the GMLRS missile, providing opportunities for Australian industry to enter into global supply chains.”
Conroy further stated: “This successful test-firing is a major milestone for Australia’s sovereign guided weapons capability, demonstrating concrete progress in strengthening our national self-reliance and delivering a defence future made in Australia.”
Australia and the United States are also in discussions to expand local production capabilities to include Precision Strike Missiles and potentially hypersonic systems. The GMLRS program is intended to serve as a foundation for these future capabilities.
The test firing reflects a broader effort to enhance long-range strike capability and industrial resilience. It also demonstrates Australia’s shift toward domestic production of advanced defense systems.
