The Australian Department of Defense announced the purchase of the M142 HIMARS highly mobile artillery missile system.
What is known
The cost of the contract is not specified, as well asnumber of missile systems. But there is a possibility that Australia will buy 20 units of HIMARS worth $385 million. It was such a deal that was approved by the US State Department in late spring last year.
The contract will include the acquisition of not onlyHIMARS, but also missiles. Moreover, the State Department approved the supply of ATACMS ballistic missiles to Australia with a range of about 300 km. Australia also plans to receive GMLRS-ER and GMLRS rockets, which are used in Ukraine.
In addition, the Ministry of Defense announced the purchase of NSM missiles for Anzac-class frigates and Hobart-class destroyers. In total, the Australian government has allocated more than $1 billion for new weapons.