Australia test-fires Precision Strike Missile for first time

The Australian government has delivered on its commitment to rapidly boost the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) long-range strike capability with the test firing of a Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) in Australia for the first time. PrSM is a next generation long-range missile with a maximum range beyond 500 kilometres and is central to strengthening Australia’s land and maritime strike capability. The successful test firing was a tangible demonstration of how Army is realising speed to capability and was also the first time Army has fired a PrSM from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). The test firing was attended by the Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy and United States Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll at the Mount Bundey Training area in the Northern Territory. 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. The test conducted was two years ahead of schedule and followed the delivery of the first PrSM a year ahead of schedule, as well as the first HIMARS two months ahead of schedule. It comes after Australia and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding earlier this year for PrSM production, sustainment and follow-on development. Negotiations are expected to commence later this year on options for future domestic manufacturing and maintenance of PrSM in Australia. Australia and the United States, as co-development partners, will continue to develop PrSM to maintain its world leading military advantage. Future missile upgrades will expand this capability to include a greater range of over 1000 kilometres, improved sensors and novel warheads. Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy 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.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]