Australia HIMARS Sustainment Opportunities

Lockheed Martin Australia is continuing to work 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 Australia is exploring opportunities with Rheinmetall Defence Australia to leverage world-class Australian facilities and expertise in support of this critical mission.

Together, the two companies are assessing how existing infrastructure and specialist skills can be aligned to deliver a robust, Australian-based sustainment model for HIMARS. This includes 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.

The focus for both Lockheed Martin Australia and Rheinmetall Defence Australia is anchored around a desire for practical collaboration to support Australia’s national security objectives while strengthening domestic industrial capabilities. 

Rheinmetall Defence Australia’s state-of-the-art Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) – an advanced military vehicle manufacturing facility at Ipswich, QLD. (Photo: Rheinmetall Defence Australia)

Leveraging World-Class Facilities

Rheinmetall’s MILVECHOE is one of Australia’s most advanced heavy vehicle sustainment and manufacturing facilities. Purpose-built to support complex defence platforms, the site brings together specialist tooling, engineering expertise and secure infrastructure under one roof.

Lockheed Martin Australia is exploring 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.

Using proven existing facilities—rather than duplicating or relying on outdated ones—boosts efficiency, scalability, resilience, and capability availability.

Growing Australian Expertise 

Beyond facilities, the potential collaboration represents 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 requires highly skilled technicians, engineers and systems specialists. Exploring partnership pathways with Rheinmetall supports 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.

Establishing a viable, Australian-based sustainment framework also has direct economic benefits. Exploring collaboration with Rheinmetall will support skilled employment across Queensland and South Australia, including roles in engineering, technical trades, logistics, supply chain management and systems integration.

The model also presents opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in component repair, specialist services and supply chain support. Strengthening local sustainment capacity contributes to regional economic activity, builds sovereign resilience, and supports the growth of Australia’s defence industry ecosystem.

The exploration of HIMARS sustainment opportunities with Australian industry also aligns 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. Within this context, developing Australian sustainment pathways for systems such as HIMARS is contributing to strengthening industrial capability while supporting the long-term availability and readiness of Army’s long-range fires capability. 

Defence industry workers at MILVEHCOE - Rheinmetall’s advanced military vehicle manufacturing facility. (Photo: Rheinmetall Defence Australia)

Looking Ahead

Lockheed Martin Australia and Rheinmetall Defence Australia share a commitment to supporting Australia’s national security objectives through practical, long-term industry collaboration.

As HIMARS capability grows, ensuring it can be sustained effectively within Australia is critical. By exploring how existing Australian facilities and expertise can be integrated into a coherent support model, both organisations are working toward a resilient, cost-effective and sovereign sustainment solution.

Sustainment can never be an afterthought, and it is fundamental to operational readiness and long-term capability for the Australian Army. As HIMARS deliveries continue for Australia, Lockheed Martin looks forward to continuing to explore opportunities to work with Rheinmetall Defence Australia in support of the Australian Government’s national security objectives. Through collaboration, investment in skills, and leveraging world-class infrastructure, we are committed to strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence capability and ensuring HIMARS remains ready to deliver when it matters most.