Poland Cleared to buy HIMARS Launchers, ATACMS for $10B

Poland has received clearance from the U.S. State Department to acquire M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers, ATACMS long-range missiles and related equipment for $10 billion.

The development comes months after Ukraine fired a missile into Poland’s territory in November. HIMARS’ sale to Poland could help prevent such accidents in future.

The HIMARS, as both U.S. and Ukraine claim, has been effective at shooting down Russian targets in the ongoing war. Since the first systems arrived in June 2022, they have been credited as helping Ukrainian forces recapture territory around Kherson.

Poland has sought to buy HIMARS since before Russia invaded Ukraine, as it undertakes a military-wide transition to modern Western equipment. Warsaw in May said it wanted 500 HIMARS launchers for more than 80 batteries. These would be produced by Poland-based factories, and Poland aims to ensure the weapons’ integration with its battlefield management system.

The possible Foreign Military Sale announced Tuesday will cover 18 M142 HIMARS launchers, 468 HIMARS launcher loader module kits, 45 M57 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS); 461 M30A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Alternative Warhead (GMLRS-AW) pods with Insensitive Munitions Propulsion System (IMPS); 521 M31A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Unitary (GMLRS-U) pods with Insensitive Munitions Propulsion System (IMPS); and 532 XM403 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Extended Range Alternative Warhead (GMLRS-ER AW) pods.