The U.S. Department of State has approved a possible $655 million Foreign Military Sale to Poland of HIMARS M142 Launchers and missiles, the U.S. Defense Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA) announced in a 29 November statement.

The government in Warshawa had requested from the US long-lead items; 20 HIMARS M142 launchers, 36 guided multiple launch rocket systems, nine guided multiple launch rocket system M30A1 alternative warheads, 30 Army Tactical Missile Systems, 24 Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems and associated equipment.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a NATO ally which is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.  This sale is consistent with U.S. initiatives to provide key allies in the region with modern systems that will enhance interoperability with U.S. forces and increase security.

Poland intends to use these defense articles and services to modernize its armed forces and expand its capability to strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats.  This will contribute to Poland’s interoperability with the United States and other allies.  Poland will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.

The HIMARS is a light multiple rocket launcher mounted on a medium-sized tactical truck.

Each launcher is run by a crew of three personnel and can fire either six 227mm M270 rockets or one MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System surface-to-surface missile. It has a range of approximately 100 miles and a 360 degree firing radius.

This HIMARS is an improved upgrade from the launcher pod system originally mounted to Bradley tank frames. This upgrade makes the truck, frame and launcher pod much lighter, which allows the system to be more easily loaded and deployed off of a plane than its tank-track predecessor.