The US State Department has approved the sale of 16 M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) to Norway.
The $580-million potential sale includes 15 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) alternative warhead pods with an insensitive munitions propulsion system (IMPS), 15 GMLRS unitary high explosive pods with IMPS, and 100 M57 Army Tactical Missile System pods.
It is intended to enhance Norway’s artillery and mid-range fire capability, enabling the country to better defend itself against current and future threats in response to the Ukraine war.
Additionally, the sale is expected to increase the Norwegian military’s interoperability with US and other allied forces.
Lockheed Martin will be the principal contractor, with potential offset agreements to be defined during negotiations.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated.
“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
Oslo has donated multiple launch rocket systems to Ukraine to help it defend itself against the Russian invasion.
Three systems were donated at the start of the war in June 2022 and an additional batch of eight were announced in collaboration with the UK in May 2023.