Australia Test-Fires U.S.-Made PrSM Missile from HIMARS for the First Time

Australia has successfully conducted its first-ever test firing of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), a new-generation long-range missile developed jointly with the United States. The test, which took place at the Mount Bundey Training Area in the Northern Territory, marks a key step in strengthening the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) ability to strike targets at long distances.

The missile was launched using a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) — also a U.S.-origin system — and this was the first time the Australian Army had fired the PrSM using HIMARS on Australian soil. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy and U.S. Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll were present to witness the test, underscoring the growing defence collaboration between the two countries.

The PrSM is capable of hitting targets beyond 500 kilometres, and its range is expected to eventually exceed 1,000 kilometres with future upgrades. It forms a key part of Australia’s new defence posture, outlined in the 2024 National Defence Strategy, which places a high priority on long-range strike power and preparing the Army for littoral (coastal) manoeuvre operations.

What makes this event particularly significant is that the test happened two years ahead of schedule, thanks to the early delivery of both the missile and the HIMARS launchers. This early achievement is seen as a “twenty-five-fold increase” to the Army’s long-range firepower, according to Minister Conroy.

Earlier this year, Australia and the U.S. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the joint production, maintenance, and future development of the PrSM. Talks are also set to begin on domestic manufacturing and sustainment options, potentially giving Australia a local defence industry boost.

The PrSM is designed to eventually include better sensors and more advanced warheads, keeping pace with evolving battlefield demands. Its compact design also means two missiles can be loaded into a single HIMARS pod, doubling firepower without increasing the size of the system.

This test adds to a series of successful missile evaluations Australia has carried out recently, all part of the Albanese Government’s efforts to fast-track modern defence capabilities in response to changing regional security dynamics.