Croatia ramps up defence with $300m HIMARS artillery deal
Croatia has discreetly supplied Ukraine with military equipment multiple times and is starting to arm itself heavily. The latest information indicates that Croatian authorities want to sign a contract to purchase HIMARS rocket artillery systems. Here, we highlight the most important features of this esteemed weapon.
The newspaper "Jutarnji list" first reported the plans, citing sources within the Croatian army. The contract negotiated with the United States is estimated to be worth $300 million and would provide access to "the most powerful military equipment in the history of Croatia."
Croatia interested in HIMARS artillery
"This is the most powerful military equipment Croatia has possessed in its history. It will completely change the balance of power in the region," stated "Jutarnji list".
HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) is a weapon developed in 1996 by Lockheed Martin. The modern version is a lighter counterpart to the M270 MLRS rocket system. It uses a wheeled chassis, which, combined with a 290-horsepower engine, ensures excellent mobility (on roads, the vehicle with launchers can reach speeds up to 56 mph).
The launchers are adapted to fire different types of ammunition, including standard MLRS rockets (calibre 227 mm) with a range of about 50 miles (a maximum of six) or the MGM-140 ATACMS ballistic missile (only one), which can hit targets up to 186 miles away. Thanks to the combination of inertial and satellite navigation, HIMARS provides high precision and is often referred to as the "god of war."
A small country heavily arming itself
HIMARS has performed well during conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, where it supported the Ukrainian army. Countries worldwide have expressed interest in this system for several years, including Poland, which aims to possess several hundred of these launchers.
Sources from the "Jutarnji list" indicate that Croatian authorities aim to sign the contract for acquiring HIMARS systems by the end of this year and receive the equipment within four years.
These efforts are part of a broader modernisation of the Croatian army. In recent months, Zagreb has signed contracts to acquire American Bradley fighting vehicles, Black Hawk helicopters, French Dassault Rafale fighter jets, and Mistral anti-aircraft systems.
