US approves $580 million sale of 16 HIMARS to Norway

Europe, News August 13, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

The U.S. State Department has approved the sale of sixteen M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and related equipment to Norway. The deal, valued at approximately $580 million (EUR 530 million), has been certified by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).

The proposed sale has now been presented to Congress for final approval.

The $580-million potential sale includes 15 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) alternative warhead pods with an insensitive munitions propulsion system (IMPS), 15 GMLRS unitary high explosive pods with IMPS, and 100 M57 Army Tactical Missile System pods, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency statement.

The deal also includes Low-Cost Reduced Range Practice Rocket (LCRRPR) pods and a range of supports such as spare parts, manuals, logistics, and training and test equipment.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated. “The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”

The principal contractor for the sale will be Lockheed Martin out of its facilities in Grand Prairie, Texas.

*^{HIMARS missile system in Poland. (Image Credit: U.S. Army/Markus Rauchenberger)}*

Norway’s decision to choose HIMARS is a setback for Hanwha Aerospace, which was hoping to secure orders for its K239 Chunmoo rocket artillery system in Norway and Sweden. In June, the South Korean company signed a deal with Norwegian firm Kongsberg to jointly offer defense equipment, including the Chunmoo system, in both countries.

Baltic states strengthen defense with HIMARS

Norway joins its north European neighbors Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia in ordering the M142 HIMARS. All of these Baltic countries ordered HIMARS orders after Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Romania and Poland already operate HIMARS. Earlier, the U.S. also approved a possible sale of 21 HIMARS launchers to Italy.

In January 2024, the defense ministers of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia agreed to form a mutual line of defense and signed a mutual intent agreement to develop HIMARS High Mobility Artillery Rocket System capability.

Meanwhile, the U.S. and German defense giants Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall have introduced their new Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System (GMARS), developed through a partnership in 2023 to create a European-made launcher based on HIMARS for Germany.

*^{The envisioned GMARS weapon, as proposed by Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall. (Image Credit: Lockheed Martin)}*

This system, unveiled on June 17, 2024, at the Eurosatory exhibition, aims to replace Germany’s MARS 2 systems by combining HIMARS technology with Rheinmetall’s HX 8×8 chassis to enhance NATO interoperability and firepower capabilities.

At the same time, KNDS and Elbit Systems have partnered to develop EuroPULS, a next-generation truck-mounted rocket artillery system based on Elbit’s Precise and Universal Launching System (PULS), already used by the Israel Defense Forces and several European countries.