US Approves $975 Million Military Sale of HIMARS MLRS to Australia.

WASHINGTON, United States, August 18, 2023 - In a significant move to strengthen defense ties with one of its key allies in the Western Pacific, the U.S. State Department has given the green light for a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia. The deal, estimated at $975 million, includes the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and a plethora of related equipment.
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U.S. Marine Corps HIMARS M142 MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System. (Picture source U.S. DoD)

According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the Australian government has expressed interest in acquiring:

-Twenty-two M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).
- Sixty M30A1 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Alternative Warhead (AW) Pods with an Insensitive Munitions Propulsion System (IMPS).
- Forty M31A1 GMLRS Unitary (GMLRS-U) High Explosive (HE) Pods with IMPS.
- Sixty-six M30A2 Extended Range (ER)-GMLRS AW Pods.
- Twenty-four M31A2 ER GMLRS Unitary (HE) Pods.

The package also encompasses Reduced Range Practice Rocket (RRPR) Pods, intercom systems for the HIMARS Launcher, M1084A2 HIMARS Re-Supply Vehicles (RSV), trailers, 9300-SL60TN Forklifts, Side Loaders, and a range of other support equipment and training materials.

This sale underscores the U.S.'s commitment to bolstering its foreign policy and national security objectives. "Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region," the statement read. The U.S. emphasizes the importance of assisting Australia in maintaining a robust self-defense capability, vital for U.S. national interests.

The acquisition will significantly enhance Australia's defense capabilities, enabling it to better counter current and future threats. It will also foster greater interoperability with U.S. and other allied forces, fortifying Australia's homeland defense and safeguarding its critical infrastructure. The U.S. assures that the integration of this equipment into the Australian armed forces will be seamless.

The primary contractors for this deal include Lockheed Martin (Grand Prairie, TX), L3Harris Corporation (Melbourne, FL), Leonardo DRS (Arlington, VA), and Oshkosh Corporation (Stafford, VA). The statement clarified that there are no known offset agreements linked to this potential sale and that the implementation won't necessitate the deployment of U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Australia.

The M142 HIMARS is a highly mobile, advanced artillery system developed by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Armed Forces. Designed to launch multiple types of munitions, including the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) and the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), HIMARS provides precision-strike capabilities to ground forces, enabling them to engage and defeat artillery, air defense concentrations, trucks, light armor, and personnel carriers, as well as support troop and supply concentrations. The system is mounted on a five-ton truck chassis and can be transported in a C-130 aircraft, making it the lightest and most transportable of the U.S. military's rocket launchers.

HIMARS has been lauded for its accuracy, flexibility, and rapid deployment capabilities. It can operate in varied terrains and weather conditions, making it a versatile asset for ground forces. The system's ability to launch its munitions from a significant distance ensures the safety of its operators while delivering devastating effects on targets. Its integration into modern warfare strategies underscores the importance of precision artillery in contemporary military operations.

Defense News August 2023