Canada, despite recent tensions with the U.S., wants to acquire more American armaments. We are talking about the M142 HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, for the purchase of which 5 billion Canadian dollars would be allocated.
The Canadian army currently does not have multiple rocket launchers, relying only on solutions in the form of mortars and towed howitzers in terms of indirect and direct fire.
As part of the Long-Range Precision Strike program, it is planned to change this state of affairs and dramatically increase the ability to attack land targets at long distances. According to Ottawa Citizen, the value of the contract for the sale of the launchers to Canada, along with auxiliary equipment, support packages, spare parts and ammunition, is to amount to 5 billion Canadian dollars and will be offered under the FMS procedure.
The information about Canada’s “off-the-shelf” purchase of the American solution was to be opposed by the military and representatives of the local industry.
They are to emphasize that this is another step towards becoming dependent on the U.S. in terms of armaments. It is suggested to look for alternatives on the market, among which the Israeli PULS (or its European variant) or the South Korean K239 Chunmoo should be mentioned.
The second of these designs was proposed to the Canadians during the last visit of representatives from Korea. Despite tensions with the US in recent weeks, will Ottawa buy an American export hit? Time will tell.
Author. Lithuanian MOD/X
M142 HIMARS is an American multiple rocket launcher on the chassis of the Oshkosh M1140 truck with 6×6 drive. The vehicle is powered by a 290 hp Caterpillar engine.
The top speed is 85 km/h and the operating range is 480 km. HIMARS is lighter than the tracked M270 MLRS launcher. This makes it possible to carry the M142 in the cargo hold of a medium transport aircraft such as the C-130 Hercules.
The M142 HIMARS launcher holds one transport and launch container for six GMLRS guided missiles with a range of about 80 km. An extended range variant of the ER GMLRS is currently being implemented. Alternatively, the system can launch one MGM-140 ATACMS missile with a range of over 300 km or two PrSM missiles that will hit a target more than 400 km away.
Currently, the M142 HIMARS is in service with countries such as the United States, Jordan, Morocco, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates.
Exercises of artillerymen from the 1st Masurian Artillery Brigade on M142 HIMARS rocket launchers at the Armament and Artillery Training Center in Toruń.
Author. Senior Cpl. Piotr Szafarski / 16th Mechanized Division