In a move to enhance its defense capabilities, Mariusz Błaszczak, the Polish Minister of Defense, announced on April 18, 2023, via Twitter, that Poland has expressed its desire to establish an M142 HIMARS Academy in the country. This academy will serve as a training center for soldiers to learn how to use the M142 HIMARS artillery system effectively. Today, the European Rocket Artillery Summit conference is being held in Toruń, Poland, to discuss the details of this project.
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U.S. and NATO senior military leaders receive a brief of the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during the European Rocket Artillery Summit in Toruń, Poland, April 18, 2023. (Picture source U.S. DoD)
The discussions at the European Rocket Artillery Summit conference are expected to pave the way for further cooperation between Poland and other NATO member states in the field of rocket artillery. The establishment of the M142 HIMARS Academy is a significant step towards achieving this goal and ensuring that Poland is well-prepared to respond to any security threats in the region.
The M142 HIMARS is a highly mobile artillery system used by the United States and several other countries. It is known for its precision strike capabilities and can engage targets at long ranges. With the establishment of the M142 Himars Academy, Poland hopes to enhance its operational readiness and contribute to the collective defense of NATO.
Poland's acquisition of the HIMARS artillery system has received a significant boost as the US Administration approved the sale of 484 rocket launchers to the country. The contract is valued at a maximum of USD 10 billion and includes 18 launchers based on US chassis and the remaining 466 on Polish-made chassis. The first US-made HIMARS rocket/missile launcher systems are planned to be delivered to Poland this year
This development follows Poland's initial purchase of 20 HIMARS launchers, including 18 combat and two training launchers, in 2019 for a total of USD 414 million. The Polish Defense Ministry had also requested Washington to prepare an offer for an additional 500 sets in May of last year.
The approval of the HIMARS artillery system sale to Poland is seen as a significant move in bolstering the country's defense capabilities and modernizing its armed forces. The system is known for its precision strike capabilities and long-range engagement, making it a valuable asset for the Polish military.
This acquisition is also expected to deepen the military cooperation between Poland and the United States, which have already been cooperating on defense matters, including the deployment of American troops in Poland as part of NATO's enhanced Forward Presence.
The sale of HIMARS launchers to Poland highlights the country's commitment to strengthening its defense capabilities and contributing to the collective security of NATO. With this acquisition, Poland is poised to become a significant player in the field of rocket artillery and to better respond to any security challenges in the region.
The M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) is a mobile, lightweight rocket launcher developed by the United States Army. It can fire a variety of rockets and missiles, including the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) and the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). The HIMARS has a range of up to 300 km (186 miles) and can be transported via C-130 Hercules aircraft, making it highly mobile and rapidly deployable. The system has been used in various conflicts, including in Iraq and Afghanistan, and has also been exported to allied nations such as Poland and Romania.
