Army receives first fleet in world-leading technology of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS)

Australia has taken delivery of its first two trucks for launching long-range missiles, giving the Defence Force access to the world-leading technology.

Defence Minister Richard Marles and Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy will inspect the launcher vehicles, known as High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, at the Avalon Airshow on Monday.

They are capable of firing precision strike missiles more than 500km.

Another 40 are on order from the United States.

After releasing the defence strategic review, the Government announced it would double the number of HIMARS on order and bring them to Australia faster.

Mr Conroy said in February bringing forward the acquisitions spoke to the government’s strategic urgency.

“HIMARS is a world-leading capability, delivering accurate firepower at long ranges, resulting in a more than ten-fold increase in Army’s striking range,” he said on Monday.

The Government is also investing in locally building guided missiles that will work with the HIMARS launchers.

The vehicles will be based within the recently established 10th Fires Brigade in Adelaide.

Mr Marles said the delivery of the first launchers was a proud moment for the Army and Australia.