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Rita Flaherty says that negotiations are underway to purchase about 200 launchers. This is connected to Poland's intention to purchase about 300 South Korean K239 Chunmoo missile systems.
The new M142 HIMARS will be in addition to the 20 launchers Poland ordered in 2019 and are set to arrive in 2023.
The second batch of M142 vehicles will use mostly Polish-made parts, including Jelcz truck-mounted carriers and the Polish Topaz control system. The U.S. side of the production cooperation will provide most launcher components and some ammunition. According to current Ministry of Defense plans, eventually production of this type of ammunition must be established in the country. This is one negotiation topic under discussion.
If Poland were to enter into an armed conflict, the U.S. industrial base could become a major asset for them through supplying additional weapons and copious amounts of ammunition.
Lockheed Martin has stated that Poland could potentially become a service center for different rocket artillery systems used not only by United States troops in the region, but also allies. As an example, Lithuania was recently given permission to purchase M142s. Currently, Ukraine is making use of these same M142s against Russian forces. Discussions are ongoing with additional countries located nearby who have shown interest in obtaining HIMARS as well.
M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) was developed in the late 1990s for the United States Army. It is mounted on a standard United States Army Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) truck frame. One vehicle carries a pod with either six GMLRS rockets or one ATACMS missile.
Source: Altair
