South Australia has marked a major Defence milestone, with the first Australian‑made Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles successfully test‑fired at the Woomera Test Range.

The successful live firing demonstrates the Australian Army’s long‑range strike capability and builds on the establishment of Australia’s first missile assembly facility at Port Wakefield, launched in December 2025 as a cornerstone of Australia’s sovereign guided weapons enterprise.

The surface‑to‑surface GMLRS missile delivers precision strike effects beyond traditional artillery range and is launched from the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), acquired under the Australian Army’s long‑range fires program.

Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said the successful test‑firing represents a significant step forward for Australia’s sovereign defence capability.

“Making missiles in Australia is central to Australia’s national defence resilience,” Minister Conroy said.

“Australia is now the only country outside the United States to make the GMLRS missile, providing opportunities for Australian industry to enter into global supply chains.”

“This successful test‑firing is a major milestone for Australia’s sovereign guided weapons capability, demonstrating concrete progress in strengthening our national self‑reliance and delivering a defence future made in Australia,” he said.

The firing marks the third live‑fire conducted by Australian HIMARS since their delivery in March 2025.

Australian‑made GMLRS missiles will also provide a pathway for future long‑range fires munitions to be manufactured locally.

Local industry participation will continue to grow with Australian suppliers progressively introduced into the GMLRS supply chain.

Together, the Woomera Test Range and the Port Wakefield missile assembly facility reinforce South Australia’s central role in Australia’s guided weapons enterprise, strengthening national security while creating advanced manufacturing and skilled workforce opportunities across the state.

The missile assembly facility is the only facility in the world outside of the Lockheed Martin facility in Camden, Arkansas to produce DMLRS and enable the qualification and assurance of Australian production lines to US standards.