Bahrain to strengthen strike power with US HIMARS rocket artillery system.

According to information published by the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency on August 14, 2025, the United States has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Bahrain worth $500 million for the acquisition of the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS. The package includes four launchers, advanced command and control networks, and a full logistical and training support suite, underscoring a major leap forward in Bahrain’s precision strike and deterrence capability.
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The M142 HIMARS is a highly mobile, C-130 transportable rocket launcher capable of firing precision rockets up to 80 km and tactical missiles up to 300 km, offering rapid shoot-and-scoot capability and long-range fire support (Picture source: U.S. DoD).

The deal covers three International Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems, resupply vehicles fitted with load handling systems, reduced-range practice rocket pods, and a broad array of support equipment including driver vision enhancers, GPS receivers, communications gear, simulators, generators, technical documentation, and spare parts. Lockheed Martin, the U.S. defense prime responsible for HIMARS production, will serve as the principal contractor for the program, reinforcing its dominant role in American long-range strike exports.

The M142 HIMARS is a wheeled launcher derived from the heavier tracked M270 MLRS, designed for strategic mobility and rapid deployment. It is mounted on a five-ton Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) chassis, giving it high speed and road mobility with a top speed of approximately 85 kilometers per hour and an operational range of over 480 kilometers. The system can carry one pod with six Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets or one Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missile. The GMLRS rockets have a range of 15 to 80 kilometers and are GPS-guided with a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 10 meters, while ATACMS extends the strike envelope to 300 kilometers with unitary or cluster warheads. The launcher can also fire the latest Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), currently entering U.S. service, which extends the range beyond 500 kilometers, ensuring long-term relevance for export customers.

HIMARS is operated by a crew of three but can be managed by just two soldiers thanks to its automated fire control system. Reloading is performed via a self-contained pod system that allows crews to quickly swap rocket or missile pods in minutes without specialized equipment. The fire control computer integrates with tactical networks, enabling digital targeting and synchronization with other artillery, air, and ground assets. Its C-130 transportability gives it unmatched operational reach, allowing a launcher to be flown into theater, offloaded, and ready to fire within hours.

Operationally, HIMARS gives commanders a versatile tool to shape the battlefield. Its precision strike capability enables destruction of high-value targets such as enemy command centers, surface-to-air missile batteries, radar sites, or logistics hubs with minimal collateral damage. The shoot-and-scoot capability, where the launcher fires and redeploys within minutes, significantly reduces vulnerability to counter-battery fire. In urban or coastal defense scenarios, HIMARS provides the ability to neutralize threats at long range before they can threaten population centers or critical infrastructure. When employed in massed fires, HIMARS units can saturate enemy defenses and create gaps for maneuver forces, while in smaller, distributed deployments they provide responsive and survivable long-range firepower.

For Bahrain, this procurement comes at a time of mounting regional tension. The kingdom faces a complex security environment shaped by Iran’s missile development program, maritime confrontations in the Strait of Hormuz, and the presence of non-state actors across the region. By acquiring HIMARS, Bahrain strengthens its role within the Gulf Cooperation Council’s collective defense posture and ensures closer alignment with U.S. regional force structures. The system’s rapid deployment and standoff strike capacity provide a powerful deterrent, while its interoperability with American and allied units positions Bahrain as a more capable partner in coalition operations across the Middle East.

Washington emphasized that the sale will enhance the security of a major non-NATO ally without altering the overall balance of power in the Gulf. Instead, it will consolidate Bahrain’s ability to participate in future multinational operations and further U.S. strategic objectives in the region. Against the backdrop of Iran’s expanding missile arsenal and the persistent threat of regional instability, this procurement highlights Bahrain’s ongoing modernization drive toward a more mobile, networked, and precision-focused ground force.