The United States Department of State has approved a $930-million foreign military sale to provide Sweden with M142 HIMARS launchers and associated equipment manufactured by Lockheed Martin.
The package is intended to strengthen Stockholm’s artillery and mid-range strike capabilities while improving interoperability with US and allied forces. Sweden has requested 20 HIMARS launchers, along with 35 pods each of M31A2 GMLRS unitary rockets, M30A2 GMLRS Alternative Warhead rockets, M403 Extended Range GMLRS pods, and M404 Extended Range GMLRS unitary pods, all equipped with insensitive munitions propulsion systems.
The proposed deal also includes 20 M57 Army Tactical Missile System pods, 24 International Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems, training rocket pods, AN/PRC‑158 radio and AN/PRC‑160 radio communications equipment, advanced GPS receivers, and other program support items.
About HIMARS
The combat-proven M142 HIMARS is a wheeled rocket artillery system capable of carrying one launcher pod that can fire six rockets or a single missile, using the same family of munitions as the tracked M270 MLRS.
The platform can be transported by a Lockheed C‑130 Hercules tactical airlifter, enabling rapid deployment. Its “shoot-and-scoot” capability allows the system to fire and relocate quickly to avoid counter-battery strikes.
Demand for the launcher increased significantly after its performance in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In 2025, Washington also approved HIMARS orders for Australia, Bahrain, and Canada.
Although Lockheed Martin raised production capacity from 60 to 96 launchers annually in 2024, delivery timelines remain uncertain due to rising global demand. Countries such as Estonia are still pursuing additional orders, while Sweden becomes the latest nation awaiting the rocket artillery system.
