The United States government has authorized the potential emergency sale of HIMARS artillery systems and related logistical support to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This notification was made on May 10 by the Department of State, which has already provided the corresponding documentation to the U.S. Congress to approve the equipment sale through the FMS program.
Regarding the quantity of HIMARS systems involved in the Ukrainian request, a total of three units are included, which will be acquired for an amount close to US$30,000,000. It is worth clarifying that these funds do not come directly from Ukraine but from the German government. The HIMARS rocket artillery systems will be sourced from the inventories of the U.S. Army.
In addition, the U.S. Secretary of State has deemed it necessary for Congress to handle the operation within the framework of the well-known military emergency in Ukraine. This implies that the authorization provided by the Department of State will not be reviewed according to the requirements of Section 36. (b) of the Arms Export Control Act.
Regarding the operation, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has stated that: “This proposed sale will support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by enhancing Ukraine’s ability to defend itself and to respond to continuing Russian aggression (…) There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.”
The HIMARS system is considered one of the most modern and effective elements in the Ukrainian artillery inventory. Due to its ability to use guided projectiles from the GMLRS family, the system has been crucial in destroying high-value targets at long range, which is crucial amid Russia’s recent advancement on the frontlines, pushing back Ukrainian troops. It is noteworthy that both the U.S. HIMARS systems and the M270A1 MLRS rocket launchers donated by France have a range of between 160 and 300 kilometers, allowing attacks on Russian-controlled territory such as the Berdiansk and Lugansk aerodromes during the course of the war.
The effectiveness of HIMARS is practically unquestionable from the Ukrainian strategic standpoint. While Russia claims to have destroyed a large number of units, it wasn’t until March of this year that the inactivation of a launcher was confirmed with precise imagery, more than two years into the conflict. This comes as other combat-damaged systems were successfully extracted to maintenance points in the United States, such as the two systems that arrived in Pennsylvania in February to undergo repairs at U.S. Army and Lockheed Martin facilities to return to service in the near future.
*Images used for illustrative purposes.
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