US State Department approves additional Australian HIMARS purchase
Peter Felstead
The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Australia of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and related equipment, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 30 September 2025.
The potential FMS, which is worth an estimated USD 705 million (EUR 600 million), has been passed to the US Congress for final approval.
Australia has requested to buy 48 M142 HIMARS, with the following non-Major Defense Equipment items also included in the package: M1084A2 HIMARS resupply vehicles; M1095 trailers; Low Cost Reduced Range Practice Rocket (LCRRPR) pods; intercom systems; radio and communication mounts; spare parts and services; and various aspects of engineering, technical, logistics and programme support.
Australia is already a HIMARS operator and has so far ordered 42 such systems, the first two of which were delivered in March 2025. If it follows through with the latest approved FMS Australia could thus more than double its holding of HIMARS launchers.
The HIMARS system, in combination with Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), is one of two systems vying for Australia’s Project Land 8113 Phase 2, which is expected to deliver a land-based maritime strike capability. The other system in contention is the StrikeMaster, which combines the Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile (NSM) with the Thales Bushmaster 4×4.
“Australia is one of the United States’ most important allies in the Western Pacific,” the DSCA stated, adding that “It is vital to the US national interest to assist this ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.
The DSCA stated that the proposed HIMARS FMS “will improve Australia’s capability to meet current and future threats, and will enhance interoperability with US forces and other allied forces. Australia will use the capability to strengthen its homeland defense and provide greater security for its critical infrastructure.”
The principal contractors will be Lockheed Martin, out of its facilities in Grand Prairie, Texas; L3Harris Corporation, out of Melbourne, Florida; Leonardo DRS, out of Arlington, Virginia; and Oshkosh Corporation, out of Stafford, Virginia.
