Lockheed Martin, through the U.S. Army, has successfully delivered an initial shipment of HIMARS launchers to Poland. HIMARS provides immediate capability to deliver long range precision fires at distances up to 300 km and is interoperable with procured defense systems. Subsequent shipments of HIMARS will be delivered this year resulting in additional capabilities for Poland. The Armaments Agency of the Ministry of National Defense is expected to invite Lockheed Martin to negotiate a Framework Agreement for the Homar-A program. Under Homar-A, Lockheed Martin with Polish Industry will integrate key components of the HIMARS rocket launcher on a Jelcz 6×6 truck. The negotiations will also include discussion around Polish production of munitions.
“The combat-proven HIMARS will provide credible deterrence against aggression and significantly increase capability of the Polish Armed Forces and their NATO allies,” said Jay Price, vice president of Precision Fires for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fires Control.
“The development of industrial partnership under Homar-A initiative marks another major step in our engagement to strengthening Poland’s economic growth and security through partnerships with local industry base. We’re looking forward to jointly create a safer tomorrow for Poland and the entire region,” said Robert Orzy?owski, Lockheed Martin director Poland, Central and East Europe.
The M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) is a light multiple rocket launcher developed in the late 1990s for the United States Army and mounted on a standard United States Army Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) truck frame. The launcher can be transported by Airbus A400M Atlas[11] and Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft. The HIMARS carries one pod with either six GMLRS rockets or one ATACMS missile. It is based on the United States Army’s FMTV five-ton truck, and is capable of launching all rockets specified in the Multiple Launch Rocket System Family of Munitions (MFOM). HIMARS ammunition pods are interchangeable with the M270 MLRS; however, it is limited to a single pod as opposed to the standard two for the M270 and its variants.
A trusted partner for Poland’s national defense, industry, and economy, Lockheed Martin has invested $1.8 billion (USD) in Poland over the last 10 years. Today, its in-country operations sustain 6,700 high-value Polish jobs, of which 1,500 are with aircraft manufacturer PZL Mielec, a Lockheed Martin company and one of Poland’s leading defense exporters. Lockheed Martin opened its office in central Warsaw in 1996 and partners with the Polish Ministry of Defense on a variety of defense and security programs. The company’s contribution to the missile programs is a core element of Poland’s national defense and provides vital capabilities to Polish Armed Forces. Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 116,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
