On Friday, November 22, the Armaments Agency announced the completion of deliveries of M142 HIMARS multi-launcher rocket launchers. The last two of the twenty launchers purchased in February 2019 have registered in Poland. They will provide training support for the first squadron fire module Homar-A.[1]
The M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is an American multi-mission rocket launcher system mounted on an Oshkosh M1140 truck chassis. The vehicle travels at a maximum speed of 85 km/h, while its operational range is 480 km. The M142 HIMARS is currently in use in countries such as the United States, Jordan, Morocco, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates.[2]
The news of the completion of the deliveries marks the finalization of the intergovernmental LoA, concluded between Poland and the United States on February 13, 2019. The contract included the delivery of 20 M142 HIMARS launchers (including 2 for training) for a total of $414 million.[3] The first HIMARS, 5 in number, arrived by air in May 2023. By the end of the year, 18 were transferred to the Polish Army, which went to the 1st Mazurian Artillery Brigade, which is part of the 16th Mechanized Division.[4]
As the Armament Agency points out, the latest donated HIMARS launchers are equipped with M68A2 practice trays and will be used for training of personnel from the division fire module.[5]
The purchase of the HIMARS system will allow a fundamental increase in the capability of the Polish rocket artillery in terms of firepower. The firing range will be extended from 40-42 km to about 85 km with GMLRS missiles. The capability to missile targets with short-range ballistic missiles, lost after the withdrawal of the Toczek sets in 2005, will also be restored. The HIMARS system will enable these capabilities with ATACMS missiles with a 300-kilometer range.[6]
Efforts are currently underway (within the framework of the Homar-A program) to conclude a second contract, which will continue purchases of an already modified configuration that includes the use of a domestic chassis. According to Deputy Defense Minister Pawel Bejda, “as part of the activities aimed at concluding the first executive contract, the Armament Agency is currently preparing an invitation to negotiate with Lockheed Martin and is conducting activities related to the acquisition of system components available under the Foreign Military Sales program. The number of military equipment to be procured, the timing and cost of implementation will be determined during the negotiation of the executive contract, which will be possible to conclude once all the terms of the agreement have been negotiated.”[7]
In February 2023. The US State Department approved the potential sale of nearly 500 HIMARS launchers to Poland. In September of that year, the Polish side approved a framework agreement between the State Treasury – Armaments Agency and Lockheed Martin for the delivery of 27 missile artillery squadrons (comprising 486 launchers). According to the schedule adopted at the time, further deliveries were expected in late 2025.[8]
Tekst powstał w ramach realizacji zadania publicznego zleconego w ramach Rządowego Programu Rozwoju Organizacji Obywatelskich na lata 2018–2030 r. „Bezpieczna Polska jutra – rozwój działań misyjnych Alioth Foundation”.
Bibliography
[1] Businessinsider.com.pl „Kolejny etap modernizacji Sił Zbrojnych za nami. HIMARS-y w komplecie” [online].
[2] A. Świerkowski, Defence24.pl „Koniec dostaw HIMARS-ów do Polski” [online].
[3] Ł. Pacholski, Zbiam.pl „Polskie wyrzutnie M142 HIMARS w komplecie” [online].
[4] A. Świerkowski, Defence24.pl „Koniec dostaw HIMARS-ów do Polski” [online].
[5] K. Wilewski, Polska-zbrojna.pl „HIMARS-y dostarczone” [online].
[6] A. Świerkowski, Defence24.pl „Koniec dostaw HIMARS-ów do Polski” [online].
[7] Ł. Pacholski, Zbiam.pl „Polskie wyrzutnie M142 HIMARS w komplecie” [online].
[8] Wojsko Polskie „HIMARS na przystawkę – HOMAR-A jako danie główne”
