Washington has confirmed the sale of 18 Himars to Poland, rocket launchers mounted on light armor that can be equipped with six missiles.
Source AFP
© GINTS IVUSKANS / AFP
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DDetermined to support Ukraine against Russia, the United States also supports neighboring Poland. Washington thus announced, on Tuesday, February 7, to approve the sale of 18 Himars rocket launcher systems to this NATO member country bordering Ukraine, for 10 billion dollars.
“The planned sale will enhance Poland’s military goals in terms of renewing its capabilities while enhancing interoperability with the United States and other allies,” the US Defense and Security Cooperation Agency said. (DSCA) in a press release.
“Poland intends to use this defense equipment to modernize its armed forces and expand its ability to strengthen its internal security and deter regional threats,” she added.
A range of about 80 km
The Himars system (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System), manufactured by the American giant Lockheed Martin, is a rocket launcher mounted on light armored vehicles, with which the American army has equipped the Ukrainian forces in particular. It can be equipped with six missiles with a range of about 80 kilometers, or a single tactical missile with a range of 300 kilometers called ATACMS (Army tactical missile system).
Washington has so far refused to supply ATACMS missiles to kyiv to prevent a US weapon from reaching Russian territory, but the transaction approved for Warsaw includes the supply of 45 ATACMS missiles.
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The announcement of the sale comes nearly a year after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine.