Lockheed Martin awarded contract to support rocket system manufacture in Australia
Australia will manufacture rockets and systems for GMLRS. (Photo: US PEO Missiles & Space)
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
-
First locally built KF41 Lynx IFV handed over to Hungary
The KF41 procurement is part of Hungary’s Zrínyi 2026 development plan and is one of several efforts to procure modern, NATO-standard platforms that will supersede legacy equipment received from the Soviet Union by 2026.
-
How Spain’s acquisition of PAC-3 MSE can boost European air defence
Madrid will increase interoperability with the other seven users of next-gen Patriot in the region.
-
MBDA announces new VSHORAD system at Farnborough International Airshow 2024
The VSHORAD supersonic single-operator interceptor air defence system was unveiled at Farnborough.
-
Raytheon notes CUAS laser success and pushes for faster air defence manufacture
Raytheon’s Patriot air defence system has been in high demand with orders and commitment coming in from Germany, Romania and Spain.
-
BAE Tridon MK2 fitted with Chess Dynamics fire control system
The collaboration between the defence giant and the gunfire control specialist will help deliver a modular anti-drone solution.