The government has given the green light to the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to purchase Himars for the Swedish Army. The plans were announced at a press conference at Upplands Flygflottilj in Uppsala.
This strengthens our defence capabilities and makes an attack on Sweden more difficult, says Minister of Defence Pål Jonson (M).
The deal will include more than ten launch trucks, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, and a large quantity of ammunition. The first deliveries could take place as early as next year, according to Jonson.
Longer range
The Army currently has no rocket artillery system, and a purchase of Himars would mean that its artillery would have a longer range, between 80 and 300 kilometres depending on the ammunition used. A new type of ammunition is also being developed that will have a range of 500 kilometres.
This gives us the opportunity to strike targets at significantly greater distances than with older artillery, says Pål Jonson.
The artillery system the Army uses today, Archer, with gun barrels and shells as ammunition, has a range of 50-60 kilometres.
Himars (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems) have been used successfully by the Ukrainian army in the war against Russia's invading army.
Production of ammunition
A decisive factor in the choice of Himars is that the defence industry groups Saab and Lockheed Martin will collaborate on the production of ammunition, which is seen as a way for Sweden to secure future deliveries.
We can build up security of supply between the Swedish and American defence industries, says Pål Jonson.
We need to produce much more ammunition in Sweden and Europe. This is an important step in that direction.
In the slightly longer term, there could be talk of an ammunition factory in Sweden.
"We are looking at that possibility," says Jonson.
Cooperation with Finland
In connection with the deal, Finland and Sweden are entering into an enhanced cooperation agreement, which means that Swedish Himars will be able to be maintained and repaired in Finland.
The Finnish army uses a different American rocket artillery system than Himars, the heavier M209, which is transported by tracked vehicles. Himars is wheeled, lighter and faster. However, both systems use the same type of ammunition and fire control system.
The agreement means that Sweden and Finland will exercise together with rocket artillery systems.
