U.S. Oks $400M Foreign Military Sale of HIMARS to Italy

The U.S. State Department has given its approval for a potential Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Italy, encompassing M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and associated equipment, at an estimated cost of $400 million.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) formally conveyed the required certification to Congress today.

Italy has formally sought 21 M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and one M31A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Unitary (GMLRS-U) High Explosive (HE) Pods with Insensitive Munitions Propulsion System (IMPS), as well as related equipment and support.

Lockheed Martin, based in Grand Prairie, TX, is identified as the principal contractor for this foreign military transaction.

The Italian Army's current MLRS unit, the 5th "Superga" Artillery Regiment, situated in north-eastern Italy, supports the NATO Rapid Deployment Corps – Italy (NRDC-ITA). Italy's Army organization includes two divisional headquarters, "Vittorio Veneto" in Florence and "Acqui" in Capua, with task-based configurations for deployment as NATO, EU, or National HQ. The acquisition of a HIMARS battalion aims to provide long-range indirect fire support to one division. The plan involves reorganizing the 5th Regiment to include an MLRS battalion and a HIMARS battalion, facilitating training and logistic efficiency. The HIMARS can be air-deployed by the Italian Air Force's C-130J, enabling rapid infiltration.

Currently using G-MLRS rockets with a 70 km range, Italy is acquiring the extended-range version (G-MLRS ER) with a 150 km range, while a 300 km range munition is part of future acquisitions.