Poland boosts defense with completion of HIMARS delivery
Two more M142 HIMARS launchers have arrived in Poland by air. The order for these launchers was placed in 2019, and according to information from the Armament Agency, all 20 ordered launchers are now in the country.
3:17 PM EST, November 22, 2024
There are now 20 M142 HIMARS launchers in Poland. Eighteen of them have been assigned to the 1st Masurian Artillery Brigade of the 16th Mechanized Division, and the remaining two units are intended for training purposes. According to Defence 24, they are expected to be sent to the Artillery and Armament Training Center in Toruń (CSAiU).
The launchers delivered to Poland are "off-the-shelf" equipment—built and finished to U.S. Army standards, with the launcher mounted on an American Oshkosh M1140 chassis. These delivered sets have facilitated the formation of one battalion-level fire module.
Alongside the recently completed order, Poland signed a framework agreement in 2023 for the delivery of an additional 486 HIMARS launchers. However, its general provisions require further negotiations regarding the performance contract, specifying the number of units (the first batch will likely involve 126 units), their price, and the delivery schedules.
HOMAR-A and HOMAR-K: Polish adaptation of rocket launchers
These will be Polonized HOMAR-A launchers, mounted on Polish Jelcz 3 663.45 6x6 chassis, with the Polish Topaz battle management system, and Polish communication systems and equipment.
In addition to the HOMAR-A launchers, Poland has also ordered HOMAR-K launchers, which are a Polish variant of the South Korean K239 Chunmoo launchers. The performance contract for these specifies the delivery of 212 units.
Recovery of lost capabilities
The delivery of modern rocket artillery means the restoration of capabilities for the Polish Army that were lost in 2005 with the withdrawal of the 9K79 Tochka short-range ballistic missile launchers.
HOMAR-A can fire GMLRS rockets with a range of 50 miles, as well as ATACMS missiles capable of hitting targets 186 miles away. The U.S. Army has also been implementing a third type of missile for the HIMARS/MLRS launchers since last year—the PrSM with a range of 249 miles.
