M142 HIMARS 486 units 288 K239 Chunmoo units To The Polish Army
Poland is reportedly in negotiations with the United States to acquire 100 M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) units from defense company Lockheed Martin.
The acquisition falls within a broader framework agreement that could provide up to 486 M142 HIMARS units to the Polish Army, following a commitment signed in September 2023.
This first concrete order is a significant step in strengthening Poland's long-range strike capabilities as a key NATO member on the alliance's eastern flank, Army Recognition reported on October 31, 2024.
The acquisition of the M142 HIMARS is part of an extensive modernization program for the Polish armed forces, with a 2024 defense budget commitment of 4.1% of GDP.
This makes it the highest among other NATO countries for the second year in a row, with a projected increase to 4.7% by 2025.
The Polish Army itself currently has M142 HIMARS units, delivered in May 2023 under a contract signed in 2019, including 20 GMLRS launchers and rockets, as well as ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles.
The M142 HIMARS system is operated by the 1st Missile Brigade, based in Toruń and Ożyš, as part of the Polish 16th Mechanized Division.
In addition to the M142 HIMARS from the US, Poland also purchased multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) from the South Korean company Hanwha Defense.
The purchase contract was signed on October 19, 2022 with a value of 6 billion US dollars for the procurement of 288 K239 Chunmoo units .