# Australia opens medium-range air defense tender, Defense News reports Australia plans to select a vendor by end-2027 and is pursuing direct commercial sale and U.S. Foreign Military Sales routes simultaneously, Defense News reported. Published 2026-10-19 by TGOs. Canonical: https://tgos.io/news/2026/10/19/australia-opens-medium-range-air-defense-tender-defense-news/ Australia's Department of Defence launched an industry solicitation on Oct. 13 for Project Land 6504, a medium-range, ground-based air defense system for the Australian Army, Defense News reported.[1] Canberra is pursuing direct commercial sale and U.S. Foreign Military Sales routes simultaneously because of time constraints, the outlet reported.[1] Vendor selection is planned by the end of 2027.[1] Live-firing at Exercise Talisman Saber is planned for mid-2029, with initial operational capability in the early 2030s.[1] Australia currently has a regiment's worth of NASAMS short-range air defense systems.[1] Land 6504 seeks a system capable of intercepting ballistic missiles in their terminal phase and addressing subsonic air-breathing threats.[1] The envisioned system is off-the-shelf and expected to offer proven capability.[1] It must integrate with CEA Technologies radars and the Joint Air Battle Management System being developed by Lockheed Martin Australia.[1] Kongsberg Australia is interested in the program, managing director John Fry told Defense News.[1] The outlet reported supplier interest from Europe, Israel, South Korea, Turkey and the United States.[1] ## Why it matters Defense News reported that the tender's timing may boost the chances of non-American missile suppliers, citing depleted U.S. missile stocks after heavy missile use in the U.S. conflict with Iran.[1] The outlet also reported funding pressure as AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines absorb available defense funds.[1] ## Sources 1. Defense News: Australia gets the ball rolling on medium-range air defense