Lockheed Martin Australia has worked closely with Australian industry partners to strengthen sovereign capability and support the long-term sustainment of Australia’s growing HIMARS fleet.
As the Australian Army expands its long-range fires capability, sustainment and through-life support are increasingly central to ensuing operational readiness, resilience and value for money.
Lockheed Martin has been exploring opportunities with Rheinmetall Defence Australia to leverage Australian facilities and expertise in support of this mission.
Together, the two companies have been assessing how existing infrastructure and specialist skills can be aligned to deliver a robust, Australian-based sustainment model for HIMARS.
This has included 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.
Rheinmetall’s MILVECHOE is a heavy vehicle sustainment and manufacturing facility.
Lockheed Martin will explore how such capabilities could support heavy-grade repair and specialist maintenance for HIMARS, complementing depot-level and unit-level sustainment activities already based in South Australia.
Beyond facilities, the potential collaboration will represent an opportunity to deepen Australia’s expertise in heavy vehicle maintenance and complex systems sustainment.
HIMARS is a sophisticated, combat proven capability and sustaining it will require highly skilled technicians, engineers and systems specialists.
Exploring partnership pathways with Rheinmetall will support the development of these specialist skills within Australia.
This includes building capability in complex maintenance and specialist support functions. This focus will contribute not only to HIMARS sustainment but also to strengthening Australia’s broader defence industrial base.
The model will hopefully present opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in component repair, specialist services and supply chain support.
The exploration of HIMARS sustainment opportunities with Australian industry has aligned with the Australian Government’s Sovereign Defence Industrial Priority 3 which focuses on the sustainment and enhancement of the combined-arms land system.
SDIP 3 recognises that a capable and resilient domestic industrial base is essential to support the design, generation and sustainment of land platforms for the Australian Army.