Australia and the United States have taken a major step in strengthening their defence partnership with the signing of a Joint Statement of Intent and the launch of a new joint office to enhance co-production of guided weapons.
The initiatives are backed by the Albanese Government’s plan to invest up to $21 billion over the next decade to establish a sovereign Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise, boosting domestic industrial capacity and supporting thousands of Australian defence jobs.
The agreement, signed today in Washington DC with the US Department of War and Lockheed Martin, marks a milestone in Australia’s efforts to develop a sovereign GWEO capability. It also signals a deepening strategic partnership with the United States, centred on building a resilient, interoperable, and sovereign defence industrial base.
The statement paves the way for co-development and production of critical long-range munitions, beginning with the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) family and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM). To ensure sustainability, the agreement notes that production in Australia will exceed domestic defence needs and aims to integrate Australian-made guided weapons into the US-led global supply chain.
Australia is on track to produce GMLRS munitions before the end of 2025, with plans to manufacture more advanced weapons in the future.
The partnership is further cemented with the opening of a joint office in Huntsville, Alabama, which will serve as the central hub for coordination on PrSM acquisition, development, production, and sustainment. PrSM, a long-range missile with a maximum range beyond 500 kilometres, is crucial to strengthening Australia’s land and maritime strike capability.
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said the deal “reaffirms the strength of our longstanding alliance with the United States and our mutual interest in contributing to regional and international security. This milestone demonstrates our shared commitment to building a resilient and interoperable industrial capacity, while accelerating the delivery of advanced capabilities that help keep Australians safe.”
This agreement positions Australia as a key player in the future of guided weapons manufacturing, boosting both national defence and the broader defence industry.
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