Australia and U.S. to jointly develop and produce PrSM missile for HIMARS rocket launcher.

According to information published by the Australian Ministry of Defence on June 6, 2025, the Australian Government has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States, establishing a cooperative program for the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM). This strategic agreement marks a major advancement in the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) long-range strike capabilities and strengthens bilateral defense industry cooperation. The MoU includes joint efforts in production, sustainment, and future development of the PrSM, while also opening the door for Australian industrial participation in the missile's global supply chain.
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The Precision Strike Missile is a next-generation surface-to-surface weapon designed to deliver high accuracy and extended-range firepower against long-range targets when launched from HIMARS or M270 rocket launchers. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The PrSM (Precision Strike Missile) is the U.S. Army’s latest surface-to-surface, long-range precision strike weapon. It is designed to replace the aging Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and provides greater range, faster response, improved accuracy, and enhanced survivability. Capable of striking high-value, time-sensitive targets beyond 500 km, the missile can engage enemy air defense systems, logistics hubs, and command infrastructure. It is launched from the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and the tracked M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), making it a vital component of modern artillery-based deep strike operations.

The Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) represents a major leap in long-range strike capability compared to both the legacy ATACMS system and the standard guided rockets launched by the M142 HIMARS. PrSM more than doubles the range of ATACMS, extending from approximately 300 kilometers to 500 kilometers in its initial increment, with future variants expected to reach 700 kilometers or more. This dramatic increase in standoff range allows the Australian Defence Force to engage high-value targets deep inside contested environments while keeping launch platforms such as HIMARS safely out of enemy reach.

In addition to its extended range, PrSM incorporates advanced GPS-guidance and inertial navigation systems that deliver superior accuracy and significantly lower circular error probability (CEP) than earlier systems. This precision allows fewer missiles to achieve greater effect, maximizing battlefield efficiency and strategic lethality. The missile’s compact size also enables HIMARS to carry two PrSMs per pod instead of one ATACMS, doubling firepower without adding platforms. With its modular, upgrade-ready design and superior survivability, PrSM positions itself as the future of deep-strike operations for modern joint forces.

The signing of the MoU formalizes Australia’s entry as a full cooperative partner in the PrSM program and provides the ADF with access to this next-generation missile. The agreement also allows Australian companies to participate in the development and production of PrSM components and sub-systems, potentially leading to future domestic manufacturing and maintenance. Negotiations on these localized industrial options are scheduled to begin later this year, underscoring the government’s intent to build sovereign defense manufacturing capabilities.

As a key enabling platform for the PrSM, the M142 HIMARS has recently been delivered to Australia. The first systems arrived in March 2025, enhancing the Australian Army’s ability to deploy long-range, precision-guided munitions with exceptional mobility. The HIMARS is a proven and battle-tested launcher capable of firing multiple types of rockets and missiles, including the new PrSM, from a wheeled, highly mobile chassis suited for rapid deployment across Australia’s diverse terrain.

Australia is investing approximately $310 million over ten years to support its participation in the PrSM program, with an additional $150 million allocated over five years to acquire initial missile stocks and establish the country’s first Long Range Fires Regiment. This capability will provide the ADF with an unprecedented level of operational reach and deterrent effect, aligning with the objectives outlined in Australia’s Defence Strategic Review.

The announcement was made jointly by the Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during their bilateral meeting at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. This cooperation is a direct outcome of the 2024 Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN), reaffirming both nations' shared commitment to strengthening allied deterrence and deepening defense industrial integration in the Indo-Pacific.

With HIMARS now operational and PrSM missile integration underway, Australia is taking a decisive step toward fielding a world-class long-range precision fires capability. This development positions the ADF at the forefront of advanced missile warfare and reflects a broader strategic pivot toward enhanced lethality, joint integration, and sovereign resilience.