The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Australia of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Alternate Warhead (AW) rounds and related equipment, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 10 March 2025.
The proposed FMS, which is worth an estimated USD 91.2 million (EUR 83.9 million), has been passed to the US Congress for final approval.
The Australian government has requested to buy 54 GMLRS AW rounds, along with telemetry kits, engineering services, technical assistance, and other related logistics and programme support.
“The proposed sale will enhance Australia’s capability to meet current and future threats by increasing its capability to deter adversaries,” the DSCA stated, adding that the sale “will support its goal of improving national and territorial defense, interoperability with US forces, and working to uplift industry as a new source of supply”.
The GMLRS AW round was developed to address area targets without the effects of unexploded ordnance, thus complying with the US Department of Defense and international policies on cluster munitions. It has a range exceeding 70 km and delivers a roughly 200 lb (90.7 kg) fragmenting warhead.
While the Australian Army has no GMLRS units, it has ordered 42 M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), which fire GMLRS munitions. The US State Department approved an initial sale of 20 HIMARS in May 2022, which was later expanded to a total of 42 systems, which are due to be delivered from 2026.
The Australian Army is also acquiring Precision Strike Missiles (PrSMs) for its HIMARS launchers. These can engage targets out to 500 km.
The principal contractor for the FMS will be Lockheed Martin out of its facilities in Grand Prairie, Texas, as well as in Australia.
