CANBERRA, Australia, 16 January 2024 - Lockheed Martin Australia has been awarded a AUD$37.4M (excluding GST) contract to commence manufacturing missiles in Australia. 

Under this Guided Weapons Production Capability (GWPC) Risk Reduction Activity contract, Lockheed Martin Australia will commence fit out in preparation for a state-of-the-art guided weapons production capability at the Defence Establishment Orchard Hills in western Sydney.

The objective of GWPC Risk Reduction Activity is to have Australian involvement in the manufacture of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) All Up Rounds (AURs) and Launch Pod Containers (LPCs). A live fire demonstration of the AURs will occur in Australia from 2025. 

"We are excited about this strategic endeavour to bring advanced factory technology to Australia,” said Tim Cahill, Executive Vice President Missiles and Fire Control, Lockheed Martin.

“Lockheed Martin will transfer the technology and service delivery as is in many of our U.S. advanced weapon factories - accelerating the development of manufacturing capability in Australia for Lockheed Martin weapons,” said Cahill.

Warren McDonald, Chief Executive Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand, welcomed the announcement. “As a GWEO strategic partner, we are proud to be awarded this important defence contract. The GWPC Risk Reduction Activity contract will provide a mechanism for swift knowledge and technology transfer and serve as a risk mitigator and pathfinder to future manufacture in Australia of the Lockheed Martin suite of guided weapons.”

Lockheed Martin’s Australian Defence Strategic Capabilities Office has been working with the Commonwealth and industry partners to expedite the delivery of a guided weapons manufacturing and maintenance capability in Australia.

“This partnership exemplifies our enduring commitment to innovation, growth and creating a strategically important capability," said Ken Kota, Vice President, ADSCO, Lockheed Martin.

In readiness for making the GMLRS AURs and LPCs in Australia, a team of Lockheed Martin Australia engineers will be sent to the U.S. for specialised training at Lockheed Martin’s guided weapons production facilities before returning to Australia to begin this important work.

Lockheed Martin has a long and proud history in world-class, proven, long-range strike capabilities. Our team looks forward to ongoing collaboration with the Australian Defence Force and defence industry to accelerate the development of advanced guided weapon manufacturing capabilities in Australia”.