Soldiers deploy an M142 HIMARS system in Riga, Latvia, in 2021. NATO member Sweden has expressed interest in buying the HIMARS from US manufacturer Lockheed Martin, alongside neighboring Finland. (Shutterstock/Karlis Dambrans)

Why Is Sweden Buying HIMARS Rocket Systems from Lockheed Martin?

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Though the HIMARS system dates back to the 1990s, it won worldwide fame from its highly effective use during the Ukraine War.

NATO member Sweden announced recently that it would adopt the US-made M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), providing its land forces with a long-range mobile launch system as Sweden seeks to enter into cooperation on rocket artillery with neighboring Finland.

“The introduction of rocket artillery clearly demonstrates that Sweden is taking responsibility for security in Europe,” Swedish Minister for Defense Pal Jonson said in a news release. “The Joint Declaration with Finland aims to boost capacity-building, maintenance and security of supply for the systems. Together, we are developing important capabilities for NATO’s collective defense.”

Lockheed Martin, developer and manufacturer of the HIMARS, will work with Sweden’s Saab on the “potential integration of Saab’s Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB)” for the mobile launch system and other platforms, including the MIM-104 Patriot air defense system.

The deal between Sweden and Lockheed........

© The National Interest