Long-range weapon system HIMARS launched in Sweden for first time

The HIMARS is a mobile artillery rocket launcher system capable of destroying enemy artillery and armour carriers among others.

HIMARS Sweden — The US long-range artillery rocket system HIMARS is launched on Swedish territory. Credit: Joel Thungren / Försvarsmakten.

The long-range artillery system M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) has been launched in Sweden for the first time as part of an ongoing Special Forces exercise in the country.

An American Hercules aircraft, with the HIMARS system on board, landed on a road base near Bro on the island of Gotland.

The system was then assembled and then loaded onto a Swedish Hercules aircraft on the road base. Subsequently, it was transported to northern Sweden to demonstrate live firing.

Swedish Armed Forces Chief of Joint Operations Michel Claesson said: “Everything went very well. The joint exercises conducted this past weekend demonstrate how far we’ve come in our cooperation with the US.”

The Swedish and US special forces are working together to hone their capabilities. During the ongoing exercise, new methods and new technology were tested to further bolster joint operational capability.

HIMARS is a highly mobile artillery multiple rocket launcher system that can engage enemy artillery, air defence concentrations, trucks, and light armour and personnel carriers. It can fire the rockets at a quick pace and changes its location before enemy forces can locate the launch site.

It was developed by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control under an advanced concept technology demonstration (ACTD) programme.

The system can carry a six-pack of GMLRS rockets or one TACMS missile. It can fire the entire Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) family of munitions.

In December last year, DiSTI secured an order to deliver HIMARS and MLRS virtual trainers to the US Army.