Poland boosts military might with 20 HIMARS launchers
Two more M142 HIMARS launchers have arrived in Poland by air. The order for them was signed in 2019, and according to information provided by the Armament Agency, all 20 ordered launchers are now in the country.
There are now 20 M142 HIMARS launchers in Poland. Eighteen of them have been assigned to the 1st Masurian Artillery Brigade of the 16th Mechanized Division, while the remaining two units are intended for training purposes. According to Defence 24, these are expected to be sent to the Artillery and Armament Training Centre in Toruń (CSAiU).
The launchers delivered to Poland are "off-the-shelf" equipment—produced and finished to the standards of the U.S. Army, with the launcher mounted on an American Oshkosh M1140 chassis. The sets delivered have allowed for the formation of one battalion-level fire module.
In addition to the recent order completion, Poland signed a framework agreement in 2023 for the delivery of an additional 486 HIMARS launchers. However, its general provisions require further negotiations regarding the performance contract, specifying the number of units (the first batch will likely involve 126 units), their price, and delivery schedules.
HOMAR-A and HOMAR-K: Polish adaptation of rocket launchers
In this context, these will be Polonised HOMAR-A launchers, mounted on Polish Jelcz 3 663.45 6x6 chassis, with the Polish Topaz battle management system, Polish communication systems, and other equipment.
Alongside the HOMAR-A launchers, Poland has also ordered HOMAR-K launchers, which are a Polish variant of the South Korean K239 Chunmoo launchers. The performance contract for these specifies the delivery of 212 units.
Recovery of lost capabilities
The delivery of modern rocket artillery signifies the restoration of capabilities for the Polish Army that were lost in 2005 with the withdrawal of the 9K79 Tochka short-range ballistic missile launchers.
HOMAR-A can fire GMLRS rockets with a range of 80 kilometres, as well as ATACMS missiles capable of hitting targets 299 kilometres away. The U.S. Army has also been implementing a third type of missile for the HIMARS/MLRS launchers since last year—the PrSM with a range of 401 kilometres.
