The 2019 order of HIMARS launchers is set to arrive in Poland within the current year. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak stated that these systems, already approved by the United States Congress, should appear on the Polish market as soon as possible. He also mentioned ongoing discussions about establishing a missile production facility for these launchers in Poland.
The head of the Defense Ministry spoke with Polsat News on Thursday, noting that the US ordered HIMARS launchers would reach Poland later in the year. He described the initial delivery as a single squadron consisting of twenty launchers with ammunition capable of striking targets up to 300 kilometers away.
He added that talks are underway to ensure that the HIMARS units approved by the US Congress become available to Poland at the earliest opportunity. He emphasized that production volumes have increased and expressed hope that the launchers will be in Poland as quickly as possible.
Poland purchased twenty HIMARS high mobility rocket artillery systems in 2019, comprising eighteen combat launchers and two training units, for a total of four hundred fourteen million dollars. Earlier this year, Warsaw signaled interest in acquiring nearly five hundred additional launchers. The US government responded positively to the Polish request for proposals and agreed to a potential sale of four hundred eighty four launchers, including eighteen mounted on US vehicles with the remainder intended for assembly on Polish trucks. In the early hours of Thursday, the country announced that the US Congress had approved the sale of nearly five hundred HIMARS launchers to Poland, with a maximum purchase value of ten billion dollars. [source: wPolityce]
Negotiations Will Define the Details
Blaszczak explained on Polsat News that the price publicly cited by the US Congress represents the ceiling. The government plans to discuss the specifics and negotiate the terms to fit Poland’s needs. He stressed that those who claim the price is excessive do not fully understand the factors involved in such deals. [source: wPolityce]
Lessons from the Ukraine Conflict and Security Considerations
When asked whether Poland could sustain such a large procurement and the associated costs, the deputy prime minister responded that the real question is whether Poland can avoid repeating the distressing scenes witnessed in Bucza or Irpen on its own soil. The discussion went beyond price to consider the strategic aim of strengthening the Polish army to deter potential aggression. [source: wPolityce]
Blaszczak noted that the country is drawing conclusions from the war in Ukraine and is committed to reinforcing its defense capabilities. This includes the possibility of establishing a HIMARS missile factory on Polish soil, an initiative that is currently being negotiated. He also mentioned plans for a munitions factory that would operate in collaboration with a Korean partner. [source: wPolityce]
The overall tone of the statements underscores a broader strategy to expand Poland’s air and ground defense posture by integrating advanced Western systems, boosting domestic manufacturing capacity, and ensuring supply chains can withstand potential disruptions. The discussions reflect a careful balance between acquiring cutting edge capabilities and avoiding overextension, with a focus on long term deterrence and readiness. [source: wPolityce]
kk/PAP [source: wPolityce]