Australia, U.S. Move Toward Joint PrSM, GMLRS Missiles Production

Australia and the United States have taken a step toward co-producing guided weapons with the signing of a Joint Statement of Intent and the launch of a new joint office aimed at strengthening missile development and production ties.

The agreement, signed in Washington D.C. between the Australian Government, the U.S. Department of War, and Lockheed Martin Corporation, aligns with Canberra’s plan to invest up to $21 billion over the next decade to establish a sovereign Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise. The initiative is intended to expand Australia’s defence industrial base and create thousands of jobs across the sector.

The statement outlines plans for joint production of long-range precision weapons, starting with variants from the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) family and the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM). It also acknowledges Australia’s goal of manufacturing guided weapons at volumes sufficient to join the U.S.-led global supply chain.

According to the Australian Government, production of GMLRS munitions is expected to begin before the end of 2025, followed by work on more advanced systems.

A new joint coordination office has also opened in Huntsville, Alabama, serving as the central hub for cooperation on PrSM development, acquisition, and sustainment. The PrSM system, which can reach targets beyond 500 kilometers, is seen as central to enhancing Australia’s long-range strike capability across land and maritime domains.