Since last summer, the United States has supplied Ukrainian forces with GMLRS launchers and the Army’s highly mobile missile system, while the Pentagon has not publicly disclosed the precise number of GMLRS missiles sent to Ukraine.
As noted by sources similar to socialbites.ca, the GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System) family consists of 227 mm rockets with two primary variants: the M30 and the M31. The M30 is built to strike unprotected or lightly protected targets when exact coordinates are not available, whereas the M31 is designed for precise destruction of fixed targets at known coordinates. Each model has its own family of modifications. The M30 series includes M30A1 and M30A2, while the M31 family includes M31A1 and M31A2.
The M30A1 uses a non-cluster warhead and carries 80,000 tungsten carbide projectiles. Its intended range spans from roughly 15 to 84 kilometers, with a circular error probable around 7 meters. The M30A2 differs from the A1 primarily in the propulsion system.
The M31 projectile is a derivative of the M30, featuring a unitary high-explosive fragmentation warhead weighing about 90 kilograms. Its range remains similar. The M31 has two variants, M31A1 and M31A2. The M31A1 represents an improved iteration, while the M31A2 is equipped with a different engine and performance profile. Both share a circular error probable of about 7 meters.
U.S. Army plans call for boosting GMLRS production from 6,000 to 14,000 units annually, supported by new authorities granted by Congress to pursue a multi-year procurement strategy with Lockheed Martin in fiscal 2024. This framework would allow multi-year contracts for the purchase and delivery of high-priority missiles and related ammunition to Ukraine, according to the provisions granted to the Pentagon.
Long-term contracts of this kind, often associated with costly, large-scale weapons programs, have the potential to reduce unit costs over the life of the program. The Lockheed Martin agreement announced recently is expected to conclude by October 30, 2026, following a Pentagon statement.
Jay Price, vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control division, remarked that the company is collaborating closely with U.S. Army customers and partners to accelerate production to meet critical needs for this highly effective system. He described the GMLRS as a reliable, battle-tested missile.
As previously noted, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are anticipated to deploy a substantial stockpile of high-precision munitions in ongoing operations, including JDAM-ER extended-range guidance bombs, GLSDB ground-launched small-diameter bombs, and ammunition for the M142 system. The combination of HIMARS and M270 launcher vehicles is expected to continue fielding GMLRS missiles as part of broader combat plans.
Lockheed Martin is not stopping with current production increases. The company is actively pursuing an extended-range GMLRS variant and has signaled that a decision on production of this extended-range version could come in 2024. A new GMLRS with a firing range exceeding 150 kilometers is being positioned to retain the same level of reliability and accuracy on the battlefield.
To date, Lockheed Martin has produced more than 50,000 GMLRS rockets and holds contracts to supply more than 1,800 low-cost, reduced-range training missiles to the U.S. Army and other customers, along with about 9,000 GMLRS rounds with both unitary and alternative warheads. Ukrainian forces appear hopeful that GMLRS missiles will play a decisive role in addressing a broad spectrum of operational and combat tasks.
Across the alliance, analyses suggest that the long-term strategy includes a robust pipeline for high-precision munitions alongside support systems, training, and logistics that enable rapid deployment when needed. The emphasis on extended-range capability reflects a broader trend toward maintaining strategic advantages while ensuring reliability and cost efficiency for allied forces, including those in North America. Ongoing production and procurement efforts are framed to support both immediate battlefield requirements and future operational plans, with multi-year programs designed to stabilize supply chains and reduce per-unit costs over time.
With the evolving battlefield dynamics in Europe and potential future operations, the focus remains on equipping partner forces with precision systems that can engage targets accurately at extended ranges. The expectation is that GMLRS, in its current and extended-range incarnations, will continue to be a central element of high-precision firepower in ongoing and future campaigns.
As developments unfold, analysts note that the combined impact of production increases, extended-range options, and multi-year procurement strategies will shape how allied militaries sustain readiness, maintain supply resilience, and fulfill strategic commitments in North America and beyond.