Australia confirmed on Thursday the procurement of two missile systems, the H142 HIMARS and the Naval Strike Missile (NSM).

HIMARS multiple launchers are used by Ukrainian forces in the war against Russia and played a catalytic role in the operation to retake Kherson after giving the Ukrainians the ability to carry out long-range strikes, even though the US did not supply Kiev with long-range missiles. They are also used in strikes against Russian infrastructure and supply lines.

The HIMARS system can carry either a six-missile GMLRS launcher or a TACMS missile. It can support the entire GMLRS munitions range which includes missiles with a unitary warhead weight of approximately 90 kg (200 lb), an alternative warhead and extended range (ER) missiles.

M142 HIMARS Launcher technical characteristics: 

• Vehicle Length: 7 m
• Vehicle Width: 2.4 m
• Vehicle Height: 3.2 m
• Crew: 3 (Driver, Gunner, Platoon Leader)
• Ammunition: 6 X GMLRS/GMLRS ER Missiles or 1 TACMS Missile
• Max missile range: 70 km – GMLRS / 135+ km ER GMLRS / 300 km TACMS and future PrSM (Precision Strike Missile) with a range of up to 499 km
• Vehicle: 5-Ton Medium Tactical Vehicle (FMVT) 
• Airlift Capability by Aircraft (C-130 or larger)

The NSM is a Norwegian Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace surface-to-surface anti-ship missile that can also engage ground targets. The procurement of NSMs by the Australian Navy has been known since April and the system in question was showcased at the Indo Pacific 2022 international exhibition in Sydney. It mainly concerns the Anzac-class frigates and the Hobart-class destroyers.

NSM missile technical characteristics:

• Length: 3.96 m
• Width: 1.36 m
• Weight: 400 kg
• Effective range: 200 km
• Warhead: Penetrating with titanium case and controlled fragmentation
• Maximum speed: 316 meters / second

Also read: HIMARS | Multiple launchers sent by the US to Ukraine – VIDEO