The US Department of State has approved the sale of M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) and related equipment to Australia through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, in a deal valued at up to $705 million.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) issued the required certification on September 30, 2025, notifying the US Congress of the possible sale.
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Contract details
- The approved package includes:
- 48 M142 HIMARS artillery systems
- M1084A2 resupply vehicles
- M1095 trailers
LCRRPR (Low-Cost Reduced Range Practice Rocket) training pods
In addition, the contract covers training, technical documentation, support and test equipment, US government and contractor engineering, logistical support services, and other essential program elements.
Australia will be able to sign contracts with major defense companies, including Lockheed Martin, L3Harris Corporation, Leonardo DRS, and Oshkosh Corporation.
Strategic objectives
According to a DSCA statement, the sale strengthens US foreign policy and national security objectives in the Indo-Pacific. The agency emphasized that “helping this ally to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability is vital to the national interests of the United States.”
The note further stated that the acquisition of the HIMARS will enhance Australia’s ability to counter current and future threats, while also improving its interoperability with US forces and those of other allied nations.
The M142 HIMARS system
The M142 HIMARS is a high-mobility artillery system mounted on the FMTV 6×6 truck chassis, capable of firing MLRS rockets and ATACMS tactical missiles. It features ballistic protection against small arms fire and shrapnel, and can reach speeds of up to 85 km/h on the move.
In terms of range, the system can reach:
- 45 km with the ER-MLRS rocket
- 70 km with the guided GMLRS rocket
- 300 km with the ATACMS tactical missile
Compact and agile, the HIMARS measures 5 meters in length, 2.16 meters in width, and 2.25 meters in height, characteristics that make it suitable for rapid operations in different scenarios.
International expansion
The HIMARS system is already in service in several countries besides the US, including Canada, Estonia, Finland, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, and now also Australia.
Source and images: Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) | Lockheed Martin. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
