Europe’s dash to procure rocket artillery

Rocket artillery systems have been employed extensively by both sides during the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine. As a result, Kyiv’s European/NATO Allies are now investing heavily and apace in their own long-neglected, rocket-artillery inventories.

In part, the latest wave of procurement is due to various users having supplied launchers and ammunition to Ukraine over the past few years, leaving various stocks depleted and in need of replenishment. In addition, Europe has begun to realise that it needs to depend less on the US for its future security and more on its own resources, equipment, and supply chains. As far as rocket artillery is concerned, the war in Ukraine has also underlined the urgent need for European nations, several of which are immediate Russian neighbours, to increase their longer-range, surface-to-surface, precision-strike, indirect-fire capabilities; traditional tube artillery, no matter how sophisticated and large-calibre the gun, while still of crucial importance, simply does not meet the longer-range requirements of the modern battlefield.

Emerging from this overview, are developments towards indigenous European rocket artillery solutions and industrial capabilities, as well as overseas procurements of new systems from the likes of Israel and South Korea by several European nations, and the continued adoption of latest rocket artillery from the US.

This article takes a look at just some of the recent and ongoing procurements and developments set to bolster rocket-artillery inventories and capabilities across European NATO Alliance member states. A look at the part the war in Ukraine has played as a catalyst to such procurements sets the scene.

Ukraine war has upped the ante

From the US-made M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and M270 multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), to Czech-made RM-70 MLRS, and more, Ukraine’s Armed Forces, in their defence against their Russian invaders, have been using a variety of rocket artillery platforms in longer-range engagements, out to around 80 km, since the early months after the initial invasion. They knew they needed such systems and made numerous requests for them from allied nations. And while not acquired, for the most part, through typical commercial channels, it’s worth knowing which systems have been provided, in what numbers, and by whom, because many of those donor nations are now procuring new weapon platforms to replace and bolster their own stocks.

One source of such details, the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, has kept a track of government-to-government materiel transfers/donations from 41 countries, which have donated weapons and assistance to Ukraine since the start of the war, or immediately before. In the case of rocket artillery, according to the institute’s Ukraine Support Tracker’s data, systems supplied between late January 2022 and 30 March 2025, is summarised in the table below.

Table 1: Rocket artillery supplied to Ukraine (January 2022 – March 2025)
Country	Equipment	Quantity
Czech Republic	RM-70	12
France	M270 MLRS	4
Germany	MARS II/MLRS Evolution	5
Germany	M142 HIMARS	3
Italy	M270 MLRS	2
Norway	M270 MLRS	11
Poland	BM-21 Grad	>30
UK	M270 MLRS	6
USA	M142 HIMARS	41
Note: a) Data sourced from Kiel IFW’s Ukraine support tracker, aside from Poland. b) Poland figures sourced from the Office of the President of Poland.

 

The HIMARS platforms supplied by the US, for example, were requested in early discussions between Ukraine with the Biden Administration, and have been highly effective in engaging and hitting targets at ranges out to 84 km using guided rockets, as have the M270 MLRS; both platforms have been able to use a unitary-warhead variant of the 227 mm guided multiple launch rocket system (GMLRS) M31A1 (unitary warhead) and M30A1 (alternative warhead) rockets. These use a combination of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and inertial navigation system (INS) guidance for accuracy to engage targets anywhere between 15 km and 84 km distant; they’re designed for precision strikes on point targets using a high-explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) warhead, and can be set for either impact or air-burst fuzing modes.

Ukraine was also on the lookout, early on, for M270 MLRS. Indeed, the UK’s announcement to gift six M270 MLRSs was made back at the start of June 2022, and was a decision, as confirmed by the UK MoD, co-ordinated closely with the US’ decision to gift the single-pod, wheeled HIMARS. The UK said at the time that M31A1 munitions would also be supplied at scale together with the six weapon platforms. It also confirmed that the decision to supply these M270 MLRS had been taken by the then UK Minister of Defence, Ben Wallace, following specific requests for the system from Ukrainian Forces, who’d said they needed the longer-range precision weapons to defend against Russia’s heavy rocket artillery, which they’d previously experienced during the devastating counter-battery artillery engagements in the eastern Donbas during 2014. Before the six MLRS launchers were sent, Ukrainian troops were trained in their operation at the UK at the Royal School of Artillery on Salisbury Plain.

 

Among the growing number of urgent new orders for rocket artillery across NATO’s European members, tried and tested US stalwart HIMARS, continues to be in huge demand. However, that demand has squeezed supply timelines, resulting in several nations looking elsewhere, to ensure they have a suitable rocket artillery system of some kind, in place, as fast as possible. So, even as Lockheed Martin is addressing increased demand for HIMARS by upping annual launcher production rates in 2025, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), from 60 to 96 units, (though Lockheed Martin recently said it had “doubled” its production, without specifying the final number), together with the company’s target to “increase GMLRS production capacity to 14,000 per year in 2025” (from its rate of 10,000 in 2024, and 6,000 in 2023), other makers beginning to take up the slack to meet Europe’s needs in the coming years. These include Israel with Elbit’s PULS MRL, and South Korea with Hanwha Aerospace’s K239 Chunmoo MRL.

The Baltics, Scandinavia, and Italy opt for US systems

All three Baltic states, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, have elected to adopt HIMARS, together with GMLRS rockets to enhance their deep-strike capabilities as part of a joint force development project. This joint force collaboration was formalised in Riga, Latvia, in January 2024, when the three nations’ ministers of defence signed an agreement of mutual intent to develop their new HIMARS capabilities, collectively.

As for procurements, at the end of April 2025, the Estonian Defence Forces took delivery of six new HIMARS MLRS, which arrived at the Ämari Air Base, following three-and-a-half years to procure the systems and train the soldiers to operate them. It’s one of Estonia’s largest weapons’ acquisitions and the director general of the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI), Magnus-Valdemar Saar, said, “HIMARS is a joint force development project among the three Baltic states… the same systems will soon be delivered to our neighbours, Latvia and Lithuania, representing a major leap in the region’s defence capabilities, enabling rapid strike effects deep into enemy territory.” He added that while defence procurement cooperation among the Baltic States was close, joint programmes of this scale, which has involved the US and Lockheed Martin, were rare. The ECDI’s Strategic Category Manager (armaments), Ramil Lipp, added that the original December 2022 contract, signed with the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), includes rockets of various range capabilities, as well as communications, training, logistics, and full lifecycle support.

With the arrival of the new systems, Hanno Pevkur, Estonian Minister of Defence, said that the US had financed the procurement and the US Army’s Victory training unit, already stationed in-country, had already trained Estonian troops to use HIMARS prior to the new systems arriving. The first live-firing and division-level exercises have already been taking place this summer, 2025. The US funding for Estonia’s HIMARS is understood to be part of a broader security assistance package intended to strengthen the defensive capabilities of NATO’s eastern flank.

 

Neighbouring Latvia, meanwhile, signed its agreement with the US at the end of December 2023 to similarly purchase six HIMARS launchers, together with ammunition of various kinds and ancillary equipment. Its decision to procure the system was a direct result of the system’s use in Ukraine, according to the Latvian MoD. In the deal worth USD 179.8 million, Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) tactical ballistic missiles (TBMs) are also part of the package. This munition which will enhance Latvia’s deep-fire capabilities out to some 300 km. Latvian Defence Minister, Andris Sprūds, said the acquisition underpinned the country’s strategic partnership with the US, as well as helping to bolster NATO’s collective defence. US Ambassador to Latvia, Christopher Robinson, added that the new systems would be crucial in ‘deterring aggression’ and sending a clear signal that, “the US and Latvia will stand by [their] joint commitment to defend every square inch of NATO’s territory”. Delivery of the six systems and ammunition is slated to begin in 2027, although Latvia’s Armed Forces will be trained in their use prior to delivery. It is also worth noting that in Latvia’s approved 2025 defence budget, EUR 52.84 million have been allocated to indirect fire support capabilities, including for long-range rocket systems.

It was, however, Lithuania, which was the first Baltic states to sign up for HIMARS, back in December 2022. This followed the November 2022 green-lighting of the potential acquisition by the US Department of State, as a potential FMS. As well as eight launchers with live and dummy ammunition, together with different ammunition pods, including pods for ATACMS, full training, maintenance equipment and support services, and more, were all itemised at that November 2022 stage. However, the Lithuanian MoD also said that the USD 495 million deal also included systems integration and connection with NATO’s integrated air and missile defence system (NATINAMDS). Lithuania’s Minister of National Defence, Arvydas Anušauskas, said at the time, that with its Latvian and Estonian allies also looking to acquire HIMARS, this would “unquestionably lead to the capability becoming a substantial boost to the defence of not just Lithuania, but the entire region”. Just one month later, in mid-December 2022, Mr Anušauskas and then-US Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin, signed Lithuania’s M142 HIMARS contract for the eight launchers and ancillaries, with first deliveries slated for 2025.

Norway is one Scandinavian HIMARS adopter, which received initial approval from the US State Department in August 2024 to acquire 16 M142 HIMARS launchers together with associated ancillary equipment. This included a range of pods for various rocket munitions, including for ATACMS TBMs; the acquisition, will be conducted as a foreign military sale (FMS), and is valued at around USD 580 million.

 

Finland, on the other hand, is undertaking an extensive upgrade and refurbishment programme of its M270 MLRS platforms instead of new procurement, as announced in December 2023. Conducted by maker Lockheed Martin, the programme will ensure the resulting M270A2s are almost brand-new systems, so they remain effective and in operation through 2050. They’ll have a new common fire control system, shared with HIMARS, thereby enabling interoperability in several areas, including the ability to use a wider range of latest munitions, such as Lockheed Martin’s new Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) and extended-range (ER) GMLRS. The upgraded platform will also have a new 600 hp engine and new transmission, together with a new armoured cab offering additional crew protection against mines and IEDs.

For its part at NATO’s southern extremities, Italy began the year by announcing the acquisition of 14 M142 HIMARS launchers in January 2025, completing the Directorate of Land Armaments’ (Terrarm) overall procurement of 21 HIMARS for the Italian Army under the terms of an FMS with the US, valued at around USD 400 million. As with other such deals, training and specialist technical support to guide the systems into service are included, as well as additional equipment, including an M31A2 GMLRS unitary pod with an insensitive munitions compliant propulsion system. Discussions on the acquisition began with the US in late 2023/early-2024, and bringing it into Italian service complies with the Italian Army’s Operational Concept 2020-2035 plan, as well as with enabling capabilities for the army outlined in its ‘Army 4.0’ paper. These capabilities include such things as mobility and extended range, as well as accuracy to enable deep, precision fires, all contributing to greater operational flexibility. The new systems will eventually operate alongside 21 upgraded Italian M270A1 MLRS, which can also use/share GMLRS rocket supplies.

Poland’s powerful preparations

Not one to shirk its own and Alliance collective responsibilities, in August 2023 Poland took delivery of the first three of 290 South Korean K239 Chunmoo MRLs currently on order. Poland’s initial end-2022 contract with Hanwha Aerospace was for 218 systems, and a follow-on USD 1.6 billion contract in April 2024 was for 72 Chunmoo systems, together with an unspecified ‘thousands’ number of guided tactical missiles. According to Poland’s IAR news agency, 12 of the 72 launchers in the 2024 contract will be made in South Korea, with the remaining 60 to be built in Poland, with deliveries slated for a 2026-2029 timeframe.

Designated Homar-K in Poland, the K239 systems are being integrated with Jelcz 8×8 trucks and will incorporate Polish Topaz combat management systems. The Homar-K platforms will operate alongside the Army’s existing HIMARS platforms, and will be able to launch a variety of munitions, including CGR-080 239 mm guided rockets with a range of 80 km, and 600 mm CTM-290 tactical ballistic missiles (TBMs) with a range of 290 km.

 

However, taking this major procurement to the next level and aiming to create a domestic rocket-artillery capability, Poland’s largest private defence company, WB Group, signed an agreement with Hanwha in April 2025 to create a guided missile joint venture (JV) in the country. The new JV – formed to produce guided munitions for the Homar-K MRL – will be majority-owned by Hanwha Aerospace (51%), with the remaining 49% held by the WB Group subsidiary, WB Electronics. The facility will eventually produce the 80 km range, GNSS/INS guided CGR-080 rockets for the Homar-K. The JV will also jointly market its product portfolio to other European nations. Indeed, as part of a bigger picture, not only does this JV agreement bolster the Korean company’s long-term commitment to playing a key part in the modernisation of Poland’s defence industry, but also gives it strategic-partnering potential with other European NATO members.

Europe’s increasing PULS rate

Spreading the load to meet demand and adding to the mix of rocket artillery among European NATO states is Elbit Systems’ Precise and Universal Launch System (PULS). The Israeli system has so far been adopted by several European nations, including Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, and Spain. And while these nations are not on NATO’s immediate eastern flank, they are moving ahead with rocket artillery procurements as fast as possible, having seen the critical role such systems are playing in Ukraine, and to bolster their own precision deep-fire capabilities, urgently. Let’s now take a look at aspects of some of these procurements.

According to the IISS, the Royal Netherlands Army (RNA), had been on track to acquire HIMARS as its latest rocket artillery asset, but due to demand for that system outstripping timely supply, as well as other differentiators such as PULS’ greater ammunition capacity (depending on munition) compared to HIMARS, the Israeli system was chosen by the Dutch. Accordingly, mid-May 2023, a USD 305 million contract was awarded to Elbit Systems to supply 20 PULS artillery rocket systems to the RNA over a five-year period, from first deliveries in 2025, to 2030. The RNS’s new launchers, which have already begun arriving, are mounted on the COMMIT 8×8 truck platform. The contract also includes rockets and missiles of various calibres and range capabilities, as well as maintenance support services and full end-user training. According to Elbit, the system has an open architecture to support growth, legacy C4i systems integration, as well as being able to accommodate bespoke customer needs. The munitions being supplied to the RNA include Accular guided rockets (122 mm variant has a range of 35 km, while 160 mm variant has a 40 km range), EXTRA 306 mm guided rockets with a range of 150 km, and Predator Hawk TBMs with a range of 300 km; all use GNSS/INS guidance.

Having recently taken delivery of its first PULS launchers mid-2025, the RNA conducted successful live-fire, precision-strike validation tests over 8-9 July 2025, at the Afsluitdijk coastal training ground, during which 16 rockets were fired at specific coordinates out to sea. The results proved the system’s accuracy, with all projectiles landing within their designated target areas, as well as confirming operator certification requirements.

 

As for Germany’s USD 57 million PULS deal, or, rather, ‘EuroPULS’, this was announced in February 2025 as having been “carried out through agreements between the Dutch, Israeli and German Governments”. KNDS and Elbit Systems actually signed a teaming agreement in September 2023 to formalise and implement their strategic cooperation to further all aspects of the EuroPULS, next-generation, rocket artillery system concept.

To deliver the new contract, Elbit is working with KNDS Deutschland on various system adaptations for the German end-user, including the integration of domestic C4i equipment, as well as command and weapons control systems, and full in-service support. The launchers will eventually undergo test and evaluation with German procurement agency, BAAINBw, as well as associated technical test centres, in order to attain approval for in-service use with the German Armed Forces. CEO of KNDS Deutschland, Ralf Ketzel, said, “The cooperation between Elbit Systems and KNDS Deutschland marks a milestone in the development of a European indirect fire system for rockets. As the OEM for European land systems, such as the Leopard 2 and PzH 2000, KNDS will ensure that the PULS systems become the EuroPULS.”

Yehuda Vered, General Manager of Elbit Systems Land, concluded that the German acquisition and arrangement “paves the way for future orders of the EuroPULS configuration”. It is worth noting that, as well as its open architecture, the EuroPULS MRL can operate using third-party rockets from other manufacturers, such as Lockheed Martin.

As for Spain’s USD 700 million PULS deal – PULS is designated SILAM with the Spanish Forces – the collaboration involves technology transfer to enable participating Spanish companies, Escribano Mechanical & Engineering and Rheinmetall Expal Munitions, to manufacture the launchers and munitions, respectively, in Spain.

Finally, on 1 April 2025, Elbit announced having been awarded a USD 130 million contract by an unnamed “European customer” for artillery rockets, and slated to be delivered over an unspecified three-year period. The contract included a variety of munitions, from training rockets to the Accular 122 mm variant rocket, the EXTRA rocket, as well as the Predator Hawk TBM. The wording of the Elbit press release seemed to suggest that these would be going to an existing European PULS operator.

Preparing for the future

The above is just a snapshot of some of the latest procurements of rocket artillery by several European NATO member states, who’ve been watching events in Ukraine closely. Over the past three years, they seem to have woken up to the importance of rocket artillery on today’s battlefields, the need for longer-range precision fires, and the urgency of restocking depleted inventories. At the same time, they are acquiring new systems with improved capabilities, accuracy and lethality, while also working to collaborate more efficiently and effectively with Allies—driven by a shared sense of urgency in preparing for an uncertain and potentially perilous future.

Tim Guest

Author: Tim Guest is a freelance journalist, UK Correspondent for ESD, and a former officer in the UK’s Royal Artillery.