The Australian Government announced it is earmarking $4.1 billion for the purchase of additional long-range attack systems and the manufacture of longer-range munitions in Australia in a push to carry out the Defence Strategic Review’s top goals.
According to a joint statement with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy, by investing in critical capabilities, the Australian Army’s existing artillery range will increase from 40 kilometres to more than 500 kilometres.
“The Albanese Government is moving immediately to respond to the Review and committing real funding to these programs and capabilities,” the statement reads.
The review’s major proposal is to expedite and expand weapons systems, such as land-based marine strikes and long-range missile launchers.
The government also revealed that investments to replenish the country’s guided weapons and explosive ordnance (GWEO) supplies and to build Australian facilities for manufacturing sovereign missiles and munition systems round out the picture.
A total of $1.6 billion will be allocated to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to more precisely strike targets at a greater distance and increase the procurement of long-range missile systems.
These solutions include additional High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and associated battle management and support systems.
In order to offer multi-domain strike effects, the expenditure also aims to hasten the procurement of Precision Strike Missiles (PRISM).
Meanwhile, the GWEO Enterprise will be awarded $2.5 billion to manufacture guided weapons and its critical components to increase self-reliance.
By the middle of 2024, tangible, costed designs will be offered to the government for consideration, according to the government.
Investment in the GWEO Enterprise will support the manufacture of specific long-range strike missiles, increase local air defence missile maintenance, and develop various types of munitions, including sea mines and 155mm artillery ammunition.
It will also fund critical components required to support a larger GWEO Enterprise, such as improving testing and research capabilities and rapidly expanding storage and distribution network to handle a rising GWEO inventory.
The announcement is part of the Albanese Government’s $19 billion commitment over the next fiscal year to accomplishing the priorities outlined in the government’s response to the review, and will more than double the investment for GWEO than what was originally planned.
