Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025: HIMARS-PrSM Live Fire Exercise

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 has once again demonstrated the growing sophistication and interoperability of the Australia–United States defence relationship, with a key highlight being the live-fire demonstration of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) employing the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM)—the next-generation of long-range precision strike capability.

As regional security dynamics intensify and long-range strike capabilities become foundational to Australia’s strategy of deterrence and denial, this live-fire event showcased joint force integration and capability maturation for the Australian Army.

Held in the Mount Bundey Training Area, the HIMARS-PrSM live-fire exercise was conducted as part of a broader theatre-level scenario that tested joint operations across land, air, sea, cyber and space domains. The live-fire event showcased the cutting edge of surface-to-surface strike capabilities with an Australian HIMARS launcher firing a PrSM missile. A pre-designated target was engaged hundreds of kilometres downrange, demonstrating pinpoint accuracy and rapid target neutralisation.

Precise, survivable and ready to be employed today

At the heart of the demonstration was the HIMARS launcher system—a rapidly deployable and combat-proven platform that is fully interoperable with the United States military. Developed by Lockheed Martin, HIMARS is designed to deliver precise, responsive and lethal fires in support of joint operations. It has been successfully integrated into U.S. and allied forces worldwide, offering agility that less-mature and developmental systems cannot match. Mounted on a standard 6x6 Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) chassis, the HIMARS launcher is transportable via C-17 and is uniquely transportable via C-130J, enabling rapid strategic lift and short-notice repositioning across Australia and the wider Indo-Pacific theatre.

Accuracy, lethality and a range exceeding 400km

Paired with the PrSM, HIMARS reaches a new level of combat relevance. PrSM represents the next-generation of long-range precision strike weapons, replacing the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) with greater range and speed as well as enhanced accuracy and spiral growth potential. The PrSM missile already exceeds 400km in range. Future PrSM increments are expanding the capability envelope even further by incorporating advanced seekers, multi-domain targeting and land-based maritime strike effects. PrSM family of munitions are designed to target and destroy moving maritime targets, ensuring unmatched area denial capability and lethality across Australia’s northern approaches.

James Heading, Director and General Manager of Missiles and Fire Control, Lockheed Martin Australia, highlighted the importance of collaborative partnerships, “For Australia, the HIMARS-PrSM capability is not just about firepower, but about aligning with other key regional allies on doctrine, technology and logistics. As a cooperative partner in the PrSM program, Australia maintains a unique position to fully leverage co-production opportunities and participate in future incremental growth of the PrSM family of munitions.”

Under activities spearheaded by the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise, Lockheed Martin Australia will shortly commence domestic production of guided munitions with a clear growth path that includes the PrSM and its various increments.

The HIMARS capability, being acquired by the Australian Army under the LAND8113 program, represents a generational shift in strike capability. The first launchers have been delivered early and on-budget with further deliveries expected in the coming months.

“The live-fire demonstration at Talisman Sabre 2025 was more than a technical milestone; it was a strategic signal. It underscored Australia’s increasing investment in strike capabilities and its commitment to joint force integration with the United States. It also provided a tangible demonstration of deterrent capability—precise, survivable and ready to be employed today.” said Heading