Australia Army to Start Training in HIMARS Operation in U.S.

The Australian Army will begin learning how to operate the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) in the U.S. next year.

In August 2023, the Biden administration announced plans to sell 22 M142 HIMARS rocket systems along with 60 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems and other munitions to Australia in a deal valued at as much as $975 million.

A new HIMARS regiment, called the 14th Regiment, will be established, with the initial battery to be based in Puckapunyal. The first of the 20 recently purchased HIMARS units is expected to be delivered in 2025.

Gunners are expected to commence training at the U.S. School of Artillery in Oklahoma as early as next year. Initially, one troop of four HIMARS is expected to be operational, with the remainder used for training, maintenance, and certification. This will expand to a battery of three troops in 2027.