Pentagon approves sale of HIMARS with ATACMS missiles to Poland

By Defence Industry Europe

On February 7, the United States announced the approval sale of M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) launchers to Poland. The package includes also ATCMS (Army Tactical Missile System) missiles and others types of HIMARS weapons. "The great reinforcement of the Polish artillery is getting closers," Polish defence minister Mariusz Blaszczak said on Twitter. "We are starting price negotiations."

According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the approved package includes: 18 M142 HIMARS launchers, 468 HIMARS Lancher Loader Module kits, 45 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles, 461 M30A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Alternative Warhead (GMLRS-AW) pods with Insensitive Munitions Propulsion System (IMPS), 521 M31A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Unitary (GMLRS-U) pods with Insensitive Munitions Propulsion System (IMPS), 532 XM403 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Extended Range Alternative Warhead (GMLRS-ER AW) pods.

According to the DSCA statement, the total estimated cost of a future contract is up to USD 10 billion. The Pentagon said that the main contractor will be defence industry giant Lockheed Martin.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” DSCA said in the statement.

“The proposed sale will improve Poland’s military goals of updating capability while further enhancing interoperability with the United States and other allies. Poland intends to use these defence articles and services to modernize its armed forces and expand its capability to strengthen its homeland defence and deter regional threats. Poland will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces,” DSCA added.

In May 2022, Poland requested an additional 500 HIMARS launchers from the United States but, according to Polish media, Lockheed Martin Corp said it was possible to offer around 200. In October 2022, Poland signed an agreement to buy 288 Chunmoo rocket systems from Hanwha Aerospace of South Korea. The value of the agreement is USD 3.5 billion.



 

 

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