On Friday, July 25, 2025, according to ABC News Australia, the Australian Army conducted its first test firing of the long-range Lockheed Martin PrSM ballistic missile from the M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) during the ongoing Talisman Sabre 2025 exercise. Earlier in the exercise, on July 14, test firings were carried out using 227 mm GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System) precision-guided rockets.
Illustrative photo: US Army
According to local media reports, the missile was launched from a forward training base in the Northern Territory and, after traveling more than 300 km, struck its target within the Mount Bundey Training Area (MBTA), located approximately 115 km southeast of Darwin.
Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Acquisition Pat Conroy stated during a press conference at MBTA that the Australian Army is entering the missile era.
It’s about extending deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region, about sending a message to a potential adversary that we can strike back — that we can deter war through strength, said the minister.
The Talisman Sabre 2025 exercise is scheduled to take place from July 13 to August 4, involving approximately 30,000 troops from 19 countries.
As a reminder, under the LAND 8113 Long Range Fires program, the Australian Department of Defence ordered 42 M142 HIMARS launchers from the United States. Deliveries began on March 24, 2025, with the arrival of the first two systems. The launchers are being fielded by the newly established 10th Fires Brigade based in Adelaide, whose formation was officially announced on September 28, 2023. Approval for the first batch of 20 launchers was granted on May 22, 2022, followed by approval for a second batch of 22 units on August 19, 2023.
Alongside the launchers, Australia also ordered an initial stockpile of munitions, including: 150 six-pack launch containers with M30A2 GMLRS-AW (Alternative Warhead), 60 containers with M30A1 GMLRS-AW, 70 containers with M31 Unitary GMLRS, 24 containers with M31A2 ER-GMLRS-U, 30 containers with extended-range XM403 ER-GMLRS-AW, 30 containers with EM404 ER-GMLRS, 10 MGM-140 ATACMS ballistic missiles. Excluding the ATACMS, Australia requested a total of 2,184 GMLRS-series missiles.
At the same time, local production of GMLRS ammunition was secured. On January 16, 2024, the Australian Department of Defence announced a 37.4 million AUD contract with Lockheed Martin Australia to launch local manufacturing from 2025, following an agreement signed between the U.S. and Australian governments on July 29, 2023.
Earlier, on August 12, 2021, the government of then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison decided to join the U.S. Army’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) initiative, intended to replace the ATACMS system. Most recently, on June 6, 2025, the governments of the United States and Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on co-production, operational support, and further development of PrSM missiles.
PrSM
The U.S. Army is currently fielding the Increment 1 variant of the PrSM ballistic missile, which is also compatible with the modernized M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) tracked launchers.
On March 28, 2025, the U.S. Department of Defense signed a five-year framework agreement with Lockheed Martin worth 4.937 billion USD (approximately 19.06 billion PLN at the time) for the production and delivery of a new batch of these missiles. Previously, 1,018 missiles had been ordered under the first framework agreement, which was amended four times. Overall procurement plans call for at least 3,986 missiles in this configuration. Deliveries began in December 2023.
At the same time, the U.S. Army is conducting extensive testing of the missiles. The most recent tests took place on March 24, 2025, and on February 12, 2025, and on December 11, 2024, all conducted independently by U.S. Army personnel in so-called Soldier-led Limited User Tests.
The official range of PrSM Increment 1 exceeds 400 km. Still, it has reportedly been extended to 700 km following the expiration of the INF Treaty. Work is also underway on the Increment 4 variant, designated LRMF (Long-Range Maneuverable Fires), with a planned range of up to 1,000 km — previously referred to as PrSM-ER (Extended Range).
In parallel, development is ongoing for a new land-based anti-ship version of the missile, known as LBASM (Land-Based Anti-Ship Missile). The first test took place on June 16, 2024, during the SINKEX phase of the Valiant Shield 24 exercise in the Pacific Ocean, using a prototype Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (AML).
Interestingly, according to reports, the U.S. declined to sell PrSM missiles to Norway as part of its potential acquisition of M142 HIMARS. As a result, Norway is reportedly considering the Israeli PULS system as an alternative.
