Poland completes HIMARS delivery with final airlift arrival

Polish Deputy Minister of Defence, Paweł Bejda, announced on Friday, 22 November, that the last two HIMARS launchers have arrived in Poland. "The first stage of the Homar-A launcher deliveries is complete. This morning, a special aircraft carrying, among other things, two HIMARS launchers arrived in Poland," Bejda communicated on platform X.

The Armament Agency reports that the HIMARS units are equipped with M68A2 pods for training purposes. Previously, 18 launchers had arrived in Poland, accompanied by support vehicles, which collectively create a comprehensive system based on the AFATDS fire control system.

The transportation of these two launchers stems from an agreement between Poland and the United States dated 13 February 2013. It involves 20 HIMARS launchers, enabling the formation of one fire module battalion in Poland. These latest HIMARS units arrived in Poland aboard the Antonov An-124.

The main advantage of the HIMARS system is its capability to use a variety of ammunition types, including MGM-140 ATACMS ballistic missiles, which can strike targets up to approximately 300 kilometres away. Precise inertial and satellite navigation ensures remarkable accuracy, making HIMARS one of the most effective artillery tools in modern warfare.

The HIMARS system is designed to accommodate various types of ammunition due to its versatility. Standard practice predominantly involves using MLRS rockets with a calibre of 227 millimetres, capable of hitting targets up to about 80 kilometres away. In addition to standard ammunition, HIMARS can employ MGM-140 ATACMS ballistic missiles, which can reach distances of up to 300 kilometres, depending on the version. Each rocket in this system is equipped with a combination of inertial and satellite navigation, guaranteeing precision within just a few metres.