# Australia Advances Air Defense Procurements

Australia is advancing two air-defense procurements: LAND 6504, an accelerated medium-range ground-based system for the Australian Army, and VSRASD, a very-short-range air and surface defense system for Hunter-class frigates. LAND 6504 is expected to issue an RFP in early 2027, select a platform in late 2027, and conduct a live-fire test in 2029. The VSRASD RFP was reported as posted September 29, although the year was not specified. These programs create near-term opportunities for suppliers able to deliver deployable air-defense capabilities and integrate them with Australian platforms and sensors.

- Companies pursuing LAND 6504 should prepare to demonstrate rapid delivery, mobility, integration with CEA Technologies radars and existing air-defense infrastructure, and the specified missile-intercept capabilities ahead of the expected early-2027 RFP.
- The VSRASD procurement targets Hunter-class frigates, with potential application to other Australian naval vessels; firms with shipboard air-defense capabilities may find opportunities across the Royal Australian Navy fleet.
- The separate A$950 million expansion of Australia’s joint air battle management system points to related demand for integrated air-defense command and control, though the supplied signal does not specify its procurement schedule or contract details.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Published:** October 28, 2026

### Government Entities
- Australian Department of Defence
- Australian Army
- Royal Australian Navy (RAN)

### Vendors
- CEA Technologies (Radar provider; its radars are to be integrated with the LAND 6504 system)
- Lockheed Martin (Awardee)

### Key Quotes
> But China’s development of cruise missile submarines would give it the ability to mount surprise attacks on targets in Australia such as its submarine base HMAS Stirling, Naval Communications Station Harold Holt (a joint Australian and US naval communication station), and the Jindalee Over-the-Horizon Radar Network infrastructure.
> — Euan Graham, Expert Associate

### Sources
- [Australia pushes to beef up air defenses - Breaking Defense](https://breakingdefense.com/2026/10/australia-pushes-to-beef-up-air-defenses) - Breaking Defense