The Australian government’s recent decision to pursue a maritime mobile strike option based on the Bushmaster vehicle marks a significant shift in its military procurement strategy. This approach is emerging as a more favorable alternative to the previously considered HIMARS-based platform, following an approved tender process announced by the Albanese government for the Australian Army.
This decision is part of Project LAND 8113 phase two, which aims to enhance the Australian Army’s capabilities by providing a land-based maritime strike option. Funding for this initiative is anticipated in the next Department of Defence Integrated Investment Plan, which is expected to be released in 2026.
During phase one of the project, the Australian Army successfully procured 42 Lockheed Martin M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). The current phase, however, is focused on facilitating a land-based maritime strike capability that aims to extend operational range and versatility around coastal areas, which are currently limited to a 40-kilometer (25-mile) operational radius.
The proposed StrikeMaster system, which was unveiled in 2022, includes two Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) mounted on the Bushmaster protected vehicle already in service with the Australian Army. This configuration draws parallels with the United States Marine Corps’ Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, which integrates modified tactical vehicles with NSMs. On the other hand, the HIMARS-based alternative features a dual-launch system capable of firing Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 2s, boasting an impressive range exceeding 400 kilometers (248 miles).
Despite the HIMARS’ longer-range capabilities, which allow it to target moving targets on land or at sea, there are growing concerns within the Australian military regarding the associated costs and the reliance on foreign technology. The Bushmaster-based option is seen as a more economical and sovereign solution, particularly as it is manufactured by Thales Australia. In contrast, the NSM is produced by Norway’s Kongsberg, which is actively supplying the Royal Australian Navy with anti-ship missiles for its major surface vessels.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation highlighted that while HIMARS remains highly regarded within military circles, the lengthy acquisition timelines and high costs associated with U.S.-made systems have prompted a reevaluation of the StrikeMaster. There has been an increasing acknowledgment of its advantages despite some initial resistance within the Army to transitioning to the more affordable option.
Additionally, Kongsberg recently announced plans to manufacture the NSM in Newcastle, further establishing the StrikeMaster as a fully Australian-developed defense product. In situations where additional firepower is deemed necessary, there is potential for a quad-pack NSM launcher to be mounted on the Australian Army’s existing HX77 vehicle, offering a flexible solution akin to systems already adopted by European nations such as Latvia, Poland, and Romania.
As the Australian government continues to refine its military capabilities, the emphasis on affordability and sovereignty may lead to a significant reshaping of its defense posture, emphasizing domestic production and advanced strike capabilities over reliance on international, and potentially more costly, systems.
