Australia to produce its own guided missiles

GTX

GTX

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For reference, the following are the list of guided missiles already in ADF service:

AIM-132 ASRAAM
AIM-120 AMRAAM
AIM-9X
AGM-88 HARM
AGM-154
AGM-158
AGM-84 Harpoon
RIM-66 Standard 2
RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow
FGM-148 Javelin
AGM-114 Hellfire
Spike LR2 in future

Project Land 8113 also plans to introduce long range rockets as well which might be an interesting addition under this plan.
 
Last edited:
Further to last, adding in some more missiles plus other info & commentary related to.

Current:

MissileOEMOEM in Australia Already?Comments
AIM-132 ASRAAMMBDAYes - https://www.mbda-systems.com/australia/
AIM-120 AMRAAMRaytheonYes - https://www.raytheon.com/au
AIM-9XRaytheonYes
AGM-88E HARMNorthrop GrummanYes - https://www.northropgrumman.com/who-we-are/global-presence/northrop-grumman-in-australia/
AGM-154RaytheonYes
AGM-158Lockheed MartinYes - https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-au/index.html
AGM-84 HarpoonBoeingYes - https://www.boeing.com.au/boeing-in-australia.pageExit service in future so unlikely to be candidate under this activity
RIM-66 Standard 2RaytheonYes
RIM-162 Evolved Sea SparrowRaytheonYes
FGM-148 JavelinRaytheon & Lockheed MartinYes
AGM-114 HellfireLockheed MartinYes

Future possible:

MissileOEMOEM in Australia Already?Comments
NASAMSRaytheon & Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (though US Govt may own IP)Yes for both but not currently producing missiles in countryEntering service with Land 19 Ph7
Spike LR2Rafael Advanced Defense SystemsYes - via https://www.vrasystems.com.au/site/index.cfm?display=751373Entering service with Boxer CRV and Land 400Ph3 contenders in future
Project Land 8113TBD though likely Lockheed MartinCandidates likely to include M142 HIMARS and/or K239 Chunmoo
JSM/NSMKongsberg Defence & AerospaceYes - https://www.kongsberg.com/kda/contact-us/our-offices/kongsberg-defence-australia-pty-ltd---canberra/Office only - no manufacturing or other activities really occurring
AARGM-ERNorthrop GrummanYesHighly likely in future


As you can see, the main current/future weapons are linked to either Raytheon, Lockheed Martin or Northrop Grumman with a few outliers in MBDA, Kongsberg and Rafael. Mind you, it may be that the owners of the Intellectual Property of the US derived missiles is actually the US Govt so that may help pave the way for any manufacturing licenses. Of course, Australia could always focus on future missiles altogether or simply choose to partner with someone to manage the facility regardless of which particular missiles are produced. Either way, none of the OEMs identified are currently producing any missiles in country so all are largely on an equal footing.
 
adbr.com.au

Commonwealth releases sovereign guided weapons RFI | ADBR

The Commonwealth has released a Request for Information to industry and academic institutions for its plan to develop an Australian sovereign guided-weapons and explosive ordnance design and manufacturing capability. The…
adbr.com.au adbr.com.au
 
Volkodav said:
GTX said:
www.australiandefence.com.au

Lockheed Martin and Thales Australia team up for guided weapons manufacturing - Australian Defence Magazine

Lockheed Martin and Thales Australia have finalised a teaming agreement that will advance the delivery of an Australian guided weapons manufacturing capability in support of a sovereign national guide...
www.australiandefence.com.au www.australiandefence.com.au
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LM are being courageous teaming with Thales, they aren't really a partner I would trust.
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I've worked with and been burnt by both over the years but from a business perspective it makes sense in this case.
 
More to the mix here:
  • Under the recent AUKUS treaty it was announced that Australia will be getting Tomahawk cruise missiles. I believe these might fall into the bucket of missile options being locally supported here;
  • Australia just released a RFP for AIR 6502 to provide a deployable, Ground-Based Medium Range Air Defence capability. Leading candidate has to be Patriot, perhaps in PAC2 & 3 variants. Another candidate therefore.
 
GTX said:
More to the mix here:
  • Under the recent AUKUS treaty it was announced that Australia will be getting Tomahawk cruise missiles. I believe these might fall into the bucket of missile options being locally supported here;
  • Australia just released a RFP for AIR 6502 to provide a deployable, Ground-Based Medium Range Air Defence capability. Leading candidate has to be Patriot, perhaps in PAC2 & 3 variants. Another candidate therefore.
Click to expand...

I believe they will also produce LRASM or at least pieces of it.
 
GTX said:
Future possible:

MissileOEMOEM in Australia Already?Comments
NASAMSRaytheon & Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (though US Govt may own IP)Yes for both but not currently producing missiles in countryEntering service with Land 19 Ph7
Spike LR2Rafael Advanced Defense SystemsYes - via https://www.vrasystems.com.au/site/index.cfm?display=751373Entering service with Boxer CRV and Land 400Ph3 contenders in future
Project Land 8113TBD though likely Lockheed MartinCandidates likely to include M142 HIMARS and/or K239 Chunmoo
JSM/NSMKongsberg Defence & AerospaceYes - https://www.kongsberg.com/kda/contact-us/our-offices/kongsberg-defence-australia-pty-ltd---canberra/Office only - no manufacturing or other activities really occurring
AARGM-ERNorthrop GrummanYesHighly likely in future
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Correctly predicted: https://adbr.com.au/australia-approved-to-buy-himars-long-range-fires/

I expect the missiles here will be included in this.
 
www.afr.com

Government announces review of defence industry policy

The urgency of the arms build-up heralds an end to an ‘obsession’ for local content, says Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy as the Albanese government waits for two key reports that will reshape Australia’s military.
www.afr.com www.afr.com

Particularly relevant comments:

He confirmed there would be an emphasis on long-range strike weapons to give the Defence Force “greater teeth”, declaring he was “evangelical” about developing a local missile industry capable of maintaining existing warheads, growing the inventory, and eventually manufacturing them locally.
Click to expand...
 
Some small steps here:

www.abc.net.au

US agrees to help Australia build high-tech missile systems at AUSMIN talks

The United States promises to help Australia produce new advanced missile systems and upgrade its northern bases after the two nations hold annual high-level talks in Brisbane.
www.abc.net.au www.abc.net.au

Includes production of LM Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS)

Also here there is mention of M795 155mm artillery shell future production and the maintenance, repair, overhaul, and upgrade of priority munitions in Australia, with an initial focus on MK-48 heavyweight torpedoes and SM-2 missiles.
 
Good luck to Australia. I wonder what type of missile they will design first? It does make you think about what made Australia go it alone in the first place.
 
FighterJock said:
Good luck to Australia. I wonder what type of missile they will design first? It does make you think about what made Australia go it alone in the first place.
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Design is a way off. This will be more about local production/support of off the shelf designs. It is not about going totally alone. It was triggered by the needs rot ensure supply of munitions in the future especially with things happening further north...

See here for some more info:

 
www.defenceconnect.com.au

$850 million deal to establish Hunter region domestic missile manufacturing hub

Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Minister, Pat Conroy has announced a $850 million partnership with Kongsberg Defence Australia to manufacture and service missiles at Williamtown near Newcastle.
www.defenceconnect.com.au www.defenceconnect.com.au

[the] in-country factory will be one of only two facilities in the world capable of producing Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) and Joint Strike Missiles (JSM) with the other site in Kongsberg, Norway
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Australia has the technological capabilities to design, build and test a variety of different missile-types.
 

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