Lockheed Martin awarded contract to support rocket system manufacture in Australia
Australia will manufacture rockets and systems for GMLRS. (Photo: US PEO Missiles & Space)
Australia received approval from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) in 2023 to buy 60 M30A1 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Alternative Warhead (AW) pods and 40 M31A1 GMLRS Unitary (GMLRS-U) high-explosive (HE) pods.
Lockheed Martin will manufacture GMLRS All Up Rounds (AURs) and Launch Pod Containers (LPCs) in Australia under a AU$37.4 million (US$24.7 million) Guided Weapons Production Capability (GWPC) Risk Reduction Activity contract signed on 16 January.
The company announced that under the contract it would commence fit out in preparation for a “state-of-the-art guided weapons production capability at the Defence Establishment Orchard Hills in western Sydney” and live fire demonstrations of the AURs will occur in Australia from 2025.
“Lockheed Martin will transfer the technology and service delivery in US advanced weapon factories accelerating the development of manufacturing capability in Australia,” the defence manufacturer noted.
“The GWPC Risk Reduction Activity contract will provide a mechanism for swift knowledge and technology transfer and serve as a risk mitigator and pathfinder to future manufacture in Australia.”
Australia has committed substantial resources to surface rockets systems signing separate deals for High Mobility Artillery Rocket System for the Australian Army, Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) for the Royal Australian Navy in January 2023 and M57 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS).
The orders provide Australia with a substantial surface attack capability with ATACMS having a 300km range, GMLRS 70km and GMLRS-ER 150km.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Predicted air defence spending boom opens doors to Indian industry]()
Predicted air defence spending boom opens doors to Indian industry
Recent conflicts have created a surge in interceptor demand worldwide while exposing potential supply chain challenges, positioning India as a cost-effective partner and scalable supplier.
-
![March land forces roundup: A new war confronts the old drone problem]()
March land forces roundup: A new war confronts the old drone problem
The attack by the US and Israel on Iran which began at the end of February presented a Ukraine-like scenario of drone-led warfare – in fact the same drone type in the Shahed – and the problem of how to counter them.
-
![The overlooked ally: Canadian support for Ukraine surpasses some European partners]()
The overlooked ally: Canadian support for Ukraine surpasses some European partners
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Canada has committed more military assistance than France in terms of GDP.
-
![France mulls new turret options to increase its VBCI IFV’s firepower]()
France mulls new turret options to increase its VBCI IFV’s firepower
The proposed enhancements could better position the French Army’s armoured infantry fighting vehicle for future export campaigns.
-
![US Army moves towards calls for bids for medium UGV as competitors warm up]()
US Army moves towards calls for bids for medium UGV as competitors warm up
The US Army’s Medium Modular Equipment Transport Trailer (M-METT) programme is planned to provide a platform between Increment II of Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport and the Palletized Load System.
