The Australian government has approved more than $248 million for a continued counter rocket, artillery and mortar system for its military forces.

The approval for the C-RAM sense and war capability came late last week with a combined first and second pass budgetary Cabinet approval for project LAND 19 Phase 7A.

"Force protection of personnel is of the highest priority, particularly given the increasingly complex operating environments," the Australian Department of Defense said. "C-RAM Sense and Warn provides early detection and warning of incoming indirect fire threats. It gives personnel additional time to evade danger, minimizing potential casualties."

Australian C-RAM capability was initially acquired in 2010 as an accelerated acquisition for its military forces participating in international operations in Afghanistan. The Department of Defense said it provided warning to Australian and coalition troops of indirect fire on their bases.

Australia is in negotiations with preferred tenderer SAAB Systems Australia for through-life support for its C-RAM systems.

"Due to the importance of force protection to deployed personnel, funding for this capability has been accordingly prioritized ahead of the 2015 Defense White Paper," the department said.