Biden Okays Sale of HIMARS Launchers to Australia

The Biden administration has given its nod to Australia which intends to procure HIMARS Launchers and related equipment for an estimated cost of $385 million.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The notification to lawmakers sets off a 30-day legislative review period in which Congress can pass a joint resolution disapproving the sale.

Australia wants to buy 20 M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS); 30 M30A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS); 30 Alternative Warhead (AW) Pods with Insensitive Munitions Propulsion Systems (IMPS); 30 M31A2 GMLRS Unitary (GMLRS-U) High Explosive Pods with IMPS; 30 XM403 Extended Range (ER)-GMLRS AW Pods; 30 EM404 ER GMLRS Unitary Pods; and 10 M57 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).

The principal contractors will be Lockheed Martin Inc., Bethesda, MD; Chelton Inc., Marlow, United Kingdom; and L3 Harris Corp., Melbourne, FL. The purchaser typically requests offsets.