Australia has just taken a major step forward in its defence capabilities with the successful test firing of a Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) in the Northern Territory.
The PrSM, a next-generation long-range missile, has a maximum range of over 500 kilometres and is central to strengthening Australia’s land and maritime strike capability.
The test firing, attended by Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy and United States Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll, was a tangible demonstration of the Army’s speed to capability, and the first time a PrSM has been fired from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) in Australia.
The acquisition of PrSM delivers on the 2024 National Defence Strategy, which directed the Army to optimise for littoral manoeuvre and strengthen its long-range land and maritime strike capability.
Ahead of Schedule
The test was completed two years ahead of schedule, following the delivery of the first PrSM a year ahead of schedule, and the first HIMARS two months ahead of schedule.
Australia and the United States, as co-development partners, will continue to develop PrSM to maintain its world-leading military advantage.
Negotiations are expected to commence later this year on options for future domestic manufacturing and maintenance of PrSM in Australia.
A World-Leading Missile System
Future missile upgrades will expand this capability to include a greater range of over 1000 kilometres, improved sensors, and novel warheads.
The Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon. Pat Conroy MP, said: “Today’s PrSM firing is another example of the Albanese Government accelerating long-range strike capabilities for the ADF, alongside the firing of Standard Missile 6, the Tomahawk missile, and the Naval Strike Missile last year.”
“From delivering HIMARS ahead of schedule to delivering and testing PrSM ahead of schedule, the Albanese Government is modernising the Australian Army at speed.”
“This successful launch is a significant milestone in the Government’s plan to deliver a twenty-five-fold increase to Army’s long-range strike capability.”