Twenty-nine sets of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) that the military purchased from the US in 2020 and 2022 are to be delivered in different batches between the end of this year and 2026, based on the military’s plan.
International demand for HIMARS has been high after it has helped Ukraine hit long-range targets with precision in its war with Russia. Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the US government had agreed to sell 11 sets of HIMARS to Taiwan after it was confirmed that M109A6 howitzer artillery weapons would not be available to procure
The military later purchased 18 more sets of HIMARS.
Photo: AFP
The second procurement package, which cost approximately NT$32.5 billion (US$1 billion), also includes 84 MGM-140 army tactical missiles and 864 rockets.
Based on the military’s plan, the first order of 11 sets of HIMARS is to be delivered between the end of this year and next year, while the remaining sets would be delivered before the end of 2026.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on Friday last week said that the US Department of State had approved the sale of 16 sets of HIMARS to Norway. The arms sales package, which topped US$580 million, also included 15 sets of M30A2 multiple rocket pods, 15 sets of M31A2 multiple rocket pods and 100 MGM-140 pods, as well as logistics, training and technical support.
Both M30A2 and M31A2 rockets are guided by GPS, making them more accurate in hitting their targets than traditional rockets.
Their maximum shooting range is about 92km.
The M30A2 rocket is designed with submunitions, while the M31A2 rocket is equipped with a single high-explosive warhead. The MGM-140 missiles purchased by Norway not only have a range of up to 300km, but also have a very high accuracy, with a circular arithmetic error of only 9m.
The Norwegian government had earlier this year announced that it would increase its defense spending to 600 billion kroner (US$55.7 billion) over the next 12 years, adding that its defense budget would reach 1.624 trillion kroner by 2036.
The arms package “will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the US by improving the security of a NATO ally that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” the DSCA said.
“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 agency said, adding that it would not alter the military balance in the region.
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