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Poland in Talks to Acquire Over 100 HIMARS Rocket Launchers under Lockheed Martin Agreement.
As Poland intensifies its efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities, Polish military officials are preparing to enter negotiations to acquire over 100 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) units from the American defense company Lockheed Martin. This acquisition falls within a broader framework agreement that could make up to 486 HIMARS units available to the Polish Army, following a commitment signed in September 2023. This first concrete order represents a significant step in strengthening Poland’s long-range strike capabilities as a key NATO member on the alliance's eastern flank.
Poland’s acquisition of HIMARS is a key element in its broad armed forces modernization program, supported by a 2024 defense budget allocation of 4.1% of GDP(Picture source: US DoD)
The M142 HIMARS, a rocket-launch system mounted on a 6x6 FMTV truck chassis, was designed by Lockheed Martin to provide high-precision strikes with rapid mobility. Capable of deploying a variety of MLRS munitions, including GMLRS guided rockets with a 70 km range and ATACMS tactical missiles reaching up to 300 km, HIMARS allows for rapid repositioning after firing. Operated by a three-person crew, the system features an automated fire control system manageable by a single operator, and its armored cabin provides protection against small arms fire and 155mm artillery fragments.
With its self-loading and autonomous capabilities, HIMARS is compatible with the M270A1 system and transportable via C-130 aircraft, allowing rapid deployment to remote areas. In serial production since 2003, HIMARS is currently in service with several nations, including the United States, Poland, and, more recently, Ukraine. Weighing 10,886 kg and reaching a top speed of 85 km/h, the HIMARS is powered by a Caterpillar C7 engine coupled with an Allison 3700SP transmission, offering a range of 480 km, making it a versatile and strategic asset for modern armed forces.
General Artur Kuptel, head of the Polish Armaments Agency within the Ministry of Defense, confirmed in an interview with Reuters that negotiations for this initial order are expected to commence soon. “In the near future, we will initiate discussions for the first contract for the HOMAR-A system,” he noted, referring to Poland’s designation for the M142 HIMARS. This move aligns with Warsaw’s strategy to strengthen military resilience amid heightened regional tensions, exacerbated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The HIMARS acquisition is part of an extensive modernization program for Poland’s armed forces, with a 2024 defense budget commitment of 4.1% of GDP, the highest among NATO members for a second consecutive year, with a projected increase to 4.7% in 2025. Before advancing in negotiations with Lockheed Martin, however, the Armaments Agency must conclude agreements on acquiring similar precision rocket systems ordered from South Korea. In April, Poland ordered 72 K239 Chunmoo rocket launchers, customized under the HOMAR-K designation, mounted on locally-produced Jelcz truck chassis, reflecting Warsaw’s commitment to integrating local components in its defense projects.
When asked about HIMARS delivery timelines, Kuptel did not specify if initial units could arrive as early as 2025, noting that U.S. prioritization of deliveries to Ukraine might affect Poland’s supply timeline. He emphasized Poland’s interest in manufacturing a significant portion of its military equipment domestically, acknowledging that this ambition must align with national production capacities. Polish defense firms, including WB, are partnering with South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace to produce munitions for the Chunmoo rocket launchers, further strengthening Poland’s national production capabilities.
Poland already has HIMARS units in service; initial units were delivered in May 2023 under a contract signed in 2019, which included 20 launchers and GMLRS rockets, as well as ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles. These systems are currently operated by the 1st Missile Brigade, based in Toruń and Ożyš, as part of Poland’s 16th Mechanized Division.
This strategic increase in Poland’s defense capabilities is part of a series of large-scale agreements, with approximately 100 military contracts signed in 2024 and additional orders expected by year’s end. As Poland prepares for critical negotiations with Lockheed Martin, it continues to position itself as a key and independent player in defense, ready to address security challenges in a region marked by increased tensions.