Australia produces first batch of GMLRS missiles

A GMLRS missile assembled in Port Wakefield facility, South Australia. (Commonwealth of Australia)

Australia has produced the first batch of Lockheed Martin Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles ahead of planned trials at the Woomera Test Range in South Australia, an Australian Department of Defence (DoD) spokesperson told Janes on 20 March.

According to the DoD spokesperson, initial GMLRS production coincides with an effort to ensure Australian manufacturing meets US requirements.

“[The DoD] and Lockheed Martin Australia are implementing an assurance programme for verification of the Australian production line to ensure the munitions manufactured at Port Wakefield [in South Australia] meet US specifications,” the spokesperson added.

The DoD said in early March that the initial phase of GMLRS production is also a risk reduction activity to certify process, training, equipment, and techniques.

“The risk reduction activity allows [the DoD] and Lockheed Martin Australia to exercise and test US government licensing and export approval processes for components [and] test equipment and to build the skills of an Australian workforce,” the DoD spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added, “This [risk reduction] activity includes product and production line verification to US standards by US government personnel, culminating in the production of a limited number of GMLRS munitions and a live-fire demonstration of these weapons.”

According to the spokesperson, the DoD is also evaluating the feasibility of local GMLRS component production. “[The DoD] is working with Lockheed Martin Australia to evaluate the feasibility of select Australian companies to manufacture specific GMLRS components,” the spokesperson said.

“The 2024 Australian Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Plan requires Australia to strengthen sovereign access to technology through targeted research and development in collaboration with Australian industry.