The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Norway of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and related equipment, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 9 August 2024.
The proposed sale, which is worth an estimated USD 580 million (EUR 531 million), has been passed to the US Congress for final approval.
Norway has requested to buy 16 M142 HIMARS; 15 M30A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Alternative Warhead (AW) pods with the Insensitive Munitions Propulsion System (IMPS); 15 M31A2 GMLRS Unitary (GMLRS-U) high-explosive pods with IMPS; and 100 M57 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) pods. Also included are low-cost, reduced-range practice rocket pods; interactive electronic technical manuals; integration support services; spare parts; tool kits; test equipment; and various aspects of contractor, logistics, training, technical and programme support.
The DSCA stated that the proposed sale “will improve Norway’s capability to meet current and future threats and enhance its interoperability with US and other allied forces. It will also enhance Norway’s artillery and mid-range fire capability.”
The principal contractor for the sale will be Lockheed Martin out of its facilities in Grand Prairie, Texas.
Norway joins its north European neighbours Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in ordering the M142 HIMARS; all of the Baltic countries’ HIMARS orders were made after Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
