Poland is preparing to start negotiations for the order of more than 100 HIMARS missile launchers (HIMARS) under a framework agreement with the US weapons manufacturer "Lockheed Martin", a high-ranking military official from the country said, Reuters reported.
"We will start negotiations on the first contract for HOMAR-A in the near future," the head of the armaments agency, General Artur Kuptel, told Reuters, using the Polish specification for the M142 HIMARS system.
"We have a (framework) agreement for 486 pieces, and the first contract will be for over 100."
Officials from the previous government have repeatedly accused the current ruling coalition, which took power in December 2023, of delaying arms purchases for Poland and hiding intentions to reduce or cancel orders under previous framework agreements following Russia's invasion of Ukraine .
Poland's government has said it will spend 4.1% of the country's gross domestic product on defense in 2024 (the highest level among NATO countries), promising to increase this to 4.7% of GDP in 2025
Kuptel said that before beginning negotiations on the HYMARS purchase, the administration would need to complete negotiations related to a similar precision missile system ordered in South Korea.
He declined to say whether the HYMARS units could start arriving in Poland in 2025 and whether US declarations to prioritize some supplies to Ukraine could cause a delay.
When asked about the prospects for the production of missiles for HYMARS in Poland, Kuptel stated: “Our intention is for...all weapons, from the smallest, miniature 5.56 caliber bullet to the largest artillery or missile systems to be produced in Poland, but the possibilities must be matched with the intentions."
In parallel with the HIMARS agreement, Poland in April signed an order for 72 South Korean K239 Chunmoo missile launchers (Polish HOMAR-K specification), deliveries of which will begin in 2026.
Polish private defense firm WB and South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace plan to produce ammunition for the launchers in Poland.
The weapons agency has already signed about 100 contracts in 2024, with several dozen more expected by the end of the year, Kuptel said.