Australia successfully test-fired its first locally produced GMLRS missiles at the Woomera Test Range in South Australia, marking a defining milestone in sovereign defence capability.

In a milestone demonstration, domestically produced GMLRS rockets were test-fired from a HIMARS launcher at Woomera on April 13, 2026, signaling a sovereign precision-strike capability.

The program complements allied efforts to co-assemble and co-produce within Indo-Pacific coalition supply chains, strengthening regional resilience.

It aligns with long-range fires ambitions by extending HIMARS capabilities and supporting future systems like Precision Strike Missile and potential hypersonic weapons.

The government has committed about $320 million to uplift local companies manufacturing GMLRS components, progressively expanding Australian supplier participation in the GMLRS supply chain.

Australia seeks to boost industrial resilience and allied munitions depth by reducing dependence on foreign supply chains and ensuring battlefield readiness under crisis conditions.

The test comes after the December 2025 opening of a dedicated Port Wakefield manufacturing facility, which supports a pathway for locally produced long-range munitions and future weapons like PrSM and potentially hypersonics.

Domestically produced GMLRS are treated as equivalent to U.S. inventories, ensuring interoperability and standardized quality and performance.

Australia’s 42-launcher HIMARS program, part of a AU$1.6 billion investment, has been deployed with systems to the 10th Fires Brigade in Adelaide.

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy noted that domestic missile production strengthens national resilience and positions Australia as the only country outside the U.S. to manufacture GMLRS, weaving Australian industry into global supply chains.

Lockheed Martin Australia led the program under the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance enterprise, with initial components from the United States and expanding local production over time.

This marks the third live-fire exercise of Australian-made HIMARS since their delivery in March 2025, reflecting accelerated deployment and training toward initial operational capability.