# Australia Seeks Medium-Range Air Defense

Australia’s Department of Defence opened a tender on October 13, 2026, under Project Land 6504 for an off-the-shelf, ground-based medium-range air-defense capability for the Australian Army. The system must counter terminal-phase ballistic missiles and subsonic threats and integrate with CEA Technologies radars and Lockheed Martin Australia’s Joint Air Battle Management System. The accelerated plan targets vendor selection by the end of 2027, live firing in mid-2029, and initial operational capability in the early 2030s; no contract value has been reported. Kongsberg Australia has expressed interest in the program, citing the NASAMS architecture’s development toward full-spectrum air defense.

- Companies considering a bid should assess whether their existing systems meet the stated threat requirements and can integrate with the specified radar and battle-management systems.
- The schedule makes delivery readiness and the ability to support live firing by mid-2029 important competitive considerations.
- Procurement teams and potential suppliers can use the end-of-2027 selection target to plan bid preparation and team arrangements; the tender description does not state a contract value.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Published:** October 19, 2026

### Government Entities
- Australian Department of Defence
- Australian Defence Force (ADF)

### Vendors
- Kongsberg Australia (prospective bidder)
- CEA Technologies ()
- Lockheed Martin Australia ()
- Raytheon ()

### Key Quotes
> We’re definitely interested in that program. I think the great thing with the NASAMS architecture is Kongsberg and Raytheon are evolving that into full-spectrum air defense.
> — John Fry, Managing Director of Kongsberg Australia

### Sources
- [Australia gets the ball rolling on medium-range air defense](https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2026/10/19/australia-gets-the-ball-rolling-on-medium-range-air-defense) - Defense News