On May 15, at the 1st Air Transport Base in Warsaw, Okęcie, with the participation of the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense Mr. Mariusz Błaszczak, the first M142 HIMARS multiple rocket launchers for the Polish Armed Forces were handed over.
The delivery, which was carried out by air, included the first 5 M142 HIMARS launchers. Nevertheless, it should be noted that this is not the first delivery of military equipment that was delivered under the contract of February 2019 for the acquisition of the first divisional fire module of HIMARS multiple rocket launchers in the “American configuration”. Since last year, deliveries of other elements that are part of the squadron’s equipment have been successively carried out, e.g. technical support vehicles, as well as combat assets. Pursuant to the concluded contract, the Polish Armed Forces will receive a total of 18 combat launchers and 2 M142 HIMARS training launchers, along with a supply of GMLRS and ATACMS rocket and training ammunition (LCRRPR), as well as command vehicles and technical security vehicles. The agreement also provides logistical, training and technical support.
According to the current delivery schedule, all M142 HIMARS launchers ordered so far will be delivered by the end of this year.
It is worth noting that the deliveries currently under way are the first step in equipping the Polish Armed Forces with multi-launch rocket launchers capable of hitting targets at the operational level, i.e. several hundred kilometers. The construction of new capabilities in this area will also include further orders for M142 HIMARS launchers and deliveries resulting from agreements with the Korean side regarding the K239 CHUNMOO launcher, as well as the acquisition of military equipment to be delivered by the Polish defense industry, in particular wheeled vehicles, starting from with 4×4 drive and ending with 8×8 chassis, unmanned aerial vehicles or radar systems. At the same time, it should be emphasized that all missile launchers, both M142 HIMARS, including those that are currently being delivered, and K239 CHUNMOO will be integrated with the Polish TOPAZ combat management system and JELCZ chassis.
Further implementation of the program related to the introduction of long-range rocket artillery fire modules into the equipment of the Polish Armed Forces also assumes the acquisition of technology related to the selected missile used by the HIMARS systems, as well as technologies related to Korean missiles used by the CHUNMOO launchers.