Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak has announced that the country will acquire 500 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) to support its military modernization efforts.
In a social media post, the minister revealed that he has signed a letter of request (LOR) to acquire US-made M142 HIMARS launchers.
Poland-based factories will reportedly produce some significant components of the system to ensure a “high level of Polonization.”
The country also seeks to ensure that the weapon system can easily be integrated with its battlefield management system.
“We are increasing the capabilities of our rocket and artillery forces,” Błaszczak said. “I have signed an LOR related to the acquisition of about 500 M142 HIMARS launchers for more than 80 batteries of the Homar system.”
Polish armaments agency spokesperson Lt. Col. Krzysztof Płatek said that the technology transfer for the production of HIMARS’ local components would go into a Polish domestic effort called HOMAR.
Zwiększamy zdolności wojsk rakietowych i artylerii! Podpisałem zapytanie ofertowe LOR dot. pozyskania około 500 wyrzutni M142 #HIMARS na potrzeby ponad 80 baterii systemu #HOMAR. Planujemy wysoki poziom polonizacji sprzętu i jego integrację z polskim systemem zarządzania walką. pic.twitter.com/q0xdxBgUiy
— Mariusz Błaszczak (@mblaszczak) May 26, 2022
The M142 HIMARS
The M124 HIMARS is an all-weather, precision strike weapons system mounted on a five-ton Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles.
It can launch the entire Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) Family of Munitions rockets and missiles.
The HIMARS carries one launch pod containing either six MLRS rockets or one Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missile.
It can provide rocket and missile fire support for joint forces, early-entry expeditionary forces, contingency forces, and field artillery brigades during military operations.
Surge in Defense Spending
Last month, Poland sent the US a request to purchase six additional Patriot missile air defense system batteries “with related gear.”
The country has also signed an agreement with the British subsidiary of MBDA to deliver short-range surface-to-air missile systems.
Additionally, the defense ministry announced in April that it had ordered Abrams tanks and other heavy US battle vehicles for $4.74 billion to bolster the nation’s ground defense capabilities.
Błaszczak openly acknowledged that the surge in spending in Poland was triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“We also draw conclusions from the war in Ukraine. Its observation confirmed us in the belief that the Polish army must be able to deter [enemies] based on its own defensive potential and independent defense of our country,” he explained.
