Poland Strengthens Artillery Capabilities with 500 HIMARS and 288 Homar-K Rocket Launchers.

Poland has taken decisive action to strengthen its artillery capabilities by replacing its aging Soviet-made BM-21 Grad rocket launchers with advanced systems from the United States and South Korea. The Polish Army is set to receive 500 American HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems) from the U.S. and 288 Homar-K systems, a South Korean Chunmoo rocket launcher mounted on the locally produced Jelcz 8x8 trucks.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Polish Army HIMARS M142 rocket launcher displayed at MSPO 2024, defense industry exhibition in Kielce, Poland. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) is a versatile, highly mobile artillery system developed by Lockheed Martin, mounted on a 5-ton FMTV (Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles) truck. The system is equipped with a launcher that can carry either six GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System) rockets or one ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) missile. The GMLRS rockets have a range of up to 70-80 kilometers and are known for their precision-guided capabilities, while the ATACMS missile extends the range significantly, allowing strikes on targets up to 300 kilometers away.

This mobility and flexibility make HIMARS a highly effective tool in modern warfare, capable of "shoot and scoot" tactics—firing and quickly relocating to avoid counterattacks. The system's ability to deliver both short- and long-range firepower ensures it can strike enemy positions, infrastructure, and assets with great accuracy, minimizing collateral damage.

Polish Army Homar-K multi-caliber rocket launcher presented for the first time at MSPO 2024, a defense industry exhibition in Kielce, Poland. (Picture source Army Recognition Group)

The Homar-K is Poland's customized version of the K239 Chunmoo Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), developed by South Korea's Hanwha Defense and mounted on the Polish Jelcz 8x8 truck. As part of Poland’s modernization efforts, the Homar-K is designed to replace older Soviet-era systems like the BM-21 Grad, offering significantly enhanced firepower, mobility, and precision.

The launcher can be configured with two containers, each holding six guided 239mm rockets, allowing the system to launch up to 12 rockets in one salvo, with a range of 80 kilometers. Additionally, the Homar-K can be configured to carry two long-range tactical ballistic missiles, capable of striking targets at distances of over 290 kilometers. The Homar-K's versatility in handling rockets and missiles makes it highly adaptable for various operational needs.

Mounted on the Jelcz 8x8 truck, the Homar-K benefits from excellent off-road mobility. This design allows for rapid deployment and relocation, enabling “shoot and scoot” tactics to avoid counter-fire. The system is equipped with a modern fire control system for precise targeting and can be integrated with NATO command-and-control networks for seamless joint operations. The high mobility of this advanced MLRS instills confidence in Poland’s ability to respond quickly to threats, ensuring enhanced deterrence and operational effectiveness.

This move is part of Poland’s broader effort to enhance its national defense amid rising regional tensions. The Soviet-designed BM-21, while once effective, has become obsolete in modern warfare. The new HIMARS and Homar-K systems provide Poland with far greater range, precision, and versatility.

The HIMARS rocket launcher system, widely recognized for its battlefield success, will allow Poland to strike targets with pinpoint accuracy at extended ranges. This precision ensures that Poland's military can hit targets accurately, increasing the nation's security. Meanwhile, the Homar-K, based on the South Korean K239 Chunmoo platform, combines advanced rocket artillery technology with the reliable Jelcz truck, ensuring high mobility and adaptability to different terrains.

Polish defense officials have emphasized that the acquisition of these state-of-the-art systems will significantly improve the nation's deterrence capabilities and ensure that Poland remains at the forefront of NATO’s defense initiatives in Eastern Europe. By retiring the BM-21s and introducing the HIMARS and Homar-K, Poland is modernizing its arsenal and ensuring that its military is better prepared for the challenges of 21st-century warfare.