Sweden signs $732 million HIMARS deal with Finland pact

Sweden has signed a SEK 7 billion ($732 million) deal to procure the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) from Lockheed Martin. The announcement was made at Ärna Air Base alongside Finnish officials, with the first launchers and ammunition scheduled for delivery in 2027.

Defense Minister Pål Jonson told reporters the acquisition comprises just over ten launchers and a substantial quantity of ammunition. He stated the system will enable future use of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), which has a range of up to 500 kilometers.

"The long-range precision capability that you get with HIMARS is something we [the Army] don't have in our toolbox at the moment," said the head of the Swedish Army, Maj. Gen. Johan Pekkari, to Breaking Defense. He stressed this deep-strike capability would complement the Air Force's recently operational Taurus missiles.

Industrial Cooperation on Munitions

Alongside the procurement, Lockheed Martin and Sweden's Saab have signed a letter of intent to explore integrating Saab's Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) and producing munitions for HIMARS and other systems like the Patriot air-defense system.

"We need to produce a lot more munitions in Europe and in Sweden," Jonson said. He expressed particular gladness that Saab and Lockheed Martin were teaming up, noting the collaboration includes the GLSDB and potentially the PrSM or other long-range strike capabilities.

Jonson said the first steps are being taken toward joint production in Sweden of rocket artillery ammunition, though initial production will start at Saab's factory in Grayling, Michigan. Görgen Johansson, head of Saab Dynamics, confirmed to Breaking Defense that a production area is being set up in Grayling now, describing the letter of intent as a first step toward potential future production in Europe.

Finland's Role as Sustainment Hub

Since Sweden does not yet operate HIMARS, Finland will assist with maintenance and training. Lockheed Martin is establishing Europe's first HIMARS maintenance center in Tampere, Finland.

Finland's Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen said a deliberate deal was made with Lockheed Martin for the center to come to Finland to support the whole of Europe. "We hope allies procuring new HIMARS will also use our center for sustainment." Häkkänen told Breaking Defense.

The new defense pact between Sweden and Finland extends beyond sustainment. Finland already operates the tracked MLRS variant, which uses the same munitions family as HIMARS. "Well, sustainment, spare parts, and we are now also starting cooperation on ammunition, because of the interoperability between MLRS and HIMARS." Häkkänen said.

Addressing Potential Delivery Delays

Defense chiefs at the announcement were aware of repeated reports of delays in deliveries of American-made weapons due to the war in the Middle East. This spring, several European countries were informed by the US government of possible delays to already purchased weapons, with Estonia having previously signaled delays in HIMARS deliveries.

Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said this does not bother him. "That is based on the fact that we can build up security of supply on the industrial side between Saab and Lockheed Martin," he told Breaking Defense. He added that he believes the industrial cooperation is good for all countries operating the HIMARS system.