StrikeMaster & Australia’s Future Defence: A New Era of Coastal Warfare

Australia’s StrikeMaster is redefining coastal defence and long-range strike capabilities. This cutting-edge system integrates the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) onto the Thales Bushmaster 4×4, creating a highly mobile, land-based maritime strike platform. Developed by Kongsberg Defence Australia and Thales Australia, the StrikeMaster enhances the Australian Defence Force’s ability to rapidly deploy and deny access to key strategic areas—especially in Northern Australia.

As tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific, the 2023 Defence Strategic Review has emphasized the need for long-range precision strike capabilities. The StrikeMaster competes with the M142 HIMARS, offering a cost-effective, locally-produced alternative that strengthens Australia’s sovereign defence industry. However, some within the Australian Army remain sceptical, favouring the extended range of HIMARS’ Precision Strike Missile (PrSM).

With a range exceeding 250 km, stealth features, and the ability to strike naval targets with precision, how does the StrikeMaster compare to global systems like Poland’s NSM Coastal Defence System or China’s DF-21D missile? Could it be a game-changer for Australia’s defence strategy, or will the government favour alternative strike platforms like HIMARS and the B-21 Raider bomber?