General Artur Kuptel, head of the Armaments Agency, informed Reuters, “In the near future, we will start negotiations for the first executive contract for HOMAR-A,” referring to Poland’s tailored version of the M142 HIMARS system. Kuptel specified that the first contract would cover over 100 units.
Before engaging in talks regarding the HIMARS, the Armaments Agency must finalise negotiations linked to a similar rocket system purchased from South Korea. The decision to pursue HIMARS follows Poland’s agreement in April to acquire 72 K239 Chunmoo launchers from South Korea, with deliveries anticipated to begin in 2026.
When asked whether HIMARS units could be deployed as early as 2025 or if the U.S.’s prioritisation of Ukraine could affect timelines, Kuptel declined to comment. He noted, however, Poland’s broader goal to bolster local production capabilities, saying: “Our intention is for…every combat means, from the smallest, tiny 5.56 (bullet), to the largest artillery or missile systems, to be manufactured in Poland, but one must measure one’s capabilities against one’s intentions.”
The Polish government, which took office in December 2023, has faced criticism from the previous administration over what they claim is a slowdown in military acquisitions. Nonetheless, the current administration has pledged significant investments in defence, targeting a budget of 4.1% of GDP for 2024 – the highest in NATO for a second consecutive year – with plans to increase this to 4.7% by 2025.
According to Reuters, WB, a private Polish defence company, alongside South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace, plans to manufacture ammunition domestically for the K239 Chunmoo launchers. So far in 2024, the Armaments Agency has signed approximately 100 military contracts, with dozens more anticipated before the year’s end.
Source: Reuters.
