Australia and the United States have taken another step towards co-production of guided weapons with the signing of a Joint Statement of Intent and the opening of a new joint office to enhance bilateral cooperation in this critical domain.
These initiatives are underpinned by the Australian government’s investment of up to $21 billion over the decade to establish a sovereign Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise, boosting our industrial capacity and supporting thousands of jobs in Australia’s defence industry.
The signing of the Joint Statement of Intent with the United States Department of Defense and Lockheed Martin Corporation in Washington DC marks a significant milestone in Australia’s efforts to build a sovereign GWEO Enterprise. It also represents a deepening of the strategic partnership with the United States and shared commitment to building a resilient, interoperable and sovereign capability.
The signing of this Joint Statement of Intent paves the way for further co-development and production of critical long-range fires, beginning with variants across the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) family of munitions and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM).
This statement also acknowledges that for guided weapons manufacturing in Australia to be a viable and sustainable capability, Australia will need to produce guided weapon quantities beyond the demands of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). It also recognises the Australian Government’s objective to manufacture guided weapons that could be integrated into the US-led global supply chain.
Australia is on track for the production of GMLRS munitions before the end of 2025, with a view to manufacturing more advanced weapons in the future. The signing of the joint statement comes as Australia and the United States deepen cooperation on the PrSM program with the opening of a joint office in Huntsville, Alabama. The dedicated facility will serve as the central hub for coordination between Australia and the United States on the acquisition and development of the PrSM capability and will oversee its production and sustainment. PrSM is a long-range missile with a maximum range beyond 500 kilometres and is central to strengthening Australia’s land and maritime strike capability.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said: “This Statement of Intent reaffirms the strength of our longstanding alliance with the United States and our mutual interest in contributing to regional and international security. This milestone is a clear demonstration of our shared commitment to building a resilient and interoperable industrial capacity for both Australia and the United States. The statement reflects the Albanese Government’s determination to accelerate the delivery of advanced capabilities that help keep Australians safe, while strengthening our defence industrial base.”
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