MELBOURNE — Lockheed Martin Australia is seeking to sustain the Australian Army’s fleet of High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) vehicles in-country.
The company is working with Rheinmetall Defence Australia to explore potential opportunities at the latter’s military vehicle production and sustainment facilities, according to an announcement by Lockheed Martin Australia on Friday.
“Together, the two companies are assessing how existing infrastructure and specialist skills can be aligned to deliver a robust, Australian-based sustainment model for HIMARS. This includes examining how Rheinmetall’s Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVECHOE) in Queensland, alongside established facilities in South Australia, could contribute to a comprehensive support network,” the announcement reads.
The facility could potentially support the heavy-grade repair and specialist maintenance for Australian HIMARS vehicles, which would complement depot-level and unit-level sustainment activities already based in South Australia.
Lockheed Martin Australia added that the potential collaboration would also represent an opportunity to deepen Australia’s expertise in heavy vehicle maintenance and complex systems sustainment, thus broadening Australia’s defense industrial base.
“The exploration of HIMARS sustainment opportunities with Australian industry also aligns with the Australian Government’s Sovereign Defence Industrial Priority 3 which focuses on the sustainment and enhancement of the combined-arms land system,” noted the announcement.
The announcement of the potential tie up between the two defense contractors comes after the Australian government announced last December that Lockheed Martin’s production facilities in South Australia has built its first Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) guided rockets.
Australia has acquired 42 HIMARS launch vehicles under its Project Land 8113 Long Range Fires Program, and has requested a further 48 vehicles in September 2025. It is also contributing to the development of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) with the US.
The Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence is delivering on Australia’s LAND 400 Phase 2 effort for updated Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles. Opened in mid-2020, the facility cost approximately $170 million AUD to stand up, according to a government factsheet.