By the end of the year, Croatia may sign a contract with the US worth $ 300 million for the purchase of a multi-purpose missile launcher M142 HIMARS, the Croatian newspaper “Jutarni List” informed today, citing its military sources.
This is the most expensive delivery in the history of the Croatian Land Army, the publication notes.
Following the arrival of the Rafale fighter jets, the Mistral anti-aircraft system and the negotiation of additional Black Hawk helicopters, the modernization and strengthening of the Croatian army's firepower continues, the newspaper said.
“Utarni sheet” he has learned in military circles that the focus is now on equipping the Ground Army with new powerful long-range systems with great firepower.
The publication specifies that the M142 HIMARS is a highly mobile ground-to-ground artillery system. According to available information, negotiations with the US lasted about two years, with an entirely new system being delivered.
The purchase of such a system would change the balance of power in the region. No one in the region has HIMARS. In Europe, according to the available information, only Poland, Romania and Ukraine have this system. Italy, Latvia and Estonia are in the process of deliveries, writes the website Index.
The arrival of HIMARS would dramatically increase the firepower of Croatian ground forces and would be a powerful deterrent, notes Index.