The Armed Forces Agency informs that preparations are underway for the beginning of negotiations on the first implementing contract for the framework contract concluded last September for the transportation of almost 500 M142 HIMARS launchers. It will specify, among others, the number of ordered fire systems and missiles, transportation agenda and price.
The plan to modernise the method army set for the period 2022–2035 assumes that land troops will have 1 of the strongest, if not the strongest artillery in Europe. Its stem, but automatic 120-mm mortar cancer and 155-mm cannonhaubice crab and K9 Thunder, to be multi-guided rocket launchers (WWR).
Until recently, the Polish Army had 2 types of specified weapons in service: RM-70 and WR-40 Langust (both technologically derived from russian BM-21 Grad systems). presently our army has 4 models of WWR.
Capacity building
In 2019 a contract was concluded – worth more than $400 million – for the transportation of 1 squadron, or 20 fire systems, American rocket launchers M142 HIMARS. In May 2023 they entered service in the army as lobster-A.
A year earlier, in November 2022, an executive contract was signed for the transportation of 218 Korean K239 Chunmoo launchers, and the first copies of this weapon went to the units as lobster-K in August 2023.
By concluding an agreement with a Korean supplier, the Ministry of National defence declared that it did not intend to quit the first plans to equip the Armed Forces of Poland in more than 20 squadrons of American HIMARS launchers. The framework agreement on this issue was signed by the Armed Forces Agency with Lockheed Martin in September 2023.. It provides that Poland will get 486 HIMARS and their deliveries will begin in 2025.
According to the Agency for Arms, preparations are presently underway to sign an executive agreement with an American producer. In order to start the contract negotiations, the Polish side must complete the formalities related to the acquisition of American military equipment. “There are presently efforts to get elements of the strategy available only under the abroad Military Sales programme,” explains the Department of Public Communications of the Armed Forces Agency.
As the representatives of the Agency emphasize in the press release, final decisions on the number of launchers and missiles obtained will be taken during negotiations with their producer. – The amount of military equipment acquired, the deadline and cost of implementation will be determined during the negotiation of the implementing agreement, which will be possible after the negotiation of all the terms of the agreement, informs the Agency. – It is worth noting that the concept of implementing the HIMARS strategy assumes the location of ammunition production in Poland – we read in the communication.
Capabilities
The scope of negotiations for both the price and number of contracted launchers and missiles was captured by the American government administration. The U.S. State Department agreed to sale the Polish Army a maximum of: 18 ready-made M142 HIMARS launchers; 468 HIMARS Launcher Loader Module Kit, i.e. launch kits designed to be mounted on specialized chassis; 532 GMLRS alternate Warhead Extended scope rocket sets; 521 GMLRS Unitary rocket sets; 461 GMLRS alternate Warhead sets; 45 ATACMS missiles. The State Department has determined that the maximum price for the above equipment and weapons must not exceed $10 billion.
