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🇸🇪 Sweden /Conflict & Security

Sweden to Buy HIMARS Rocket Artillery System

From Svenska Dagbladet · () Swedish

Translated from Swedish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Sweden has authorized its Defence Materiel Administration to purchase more than 10 HIMARS launch vehicles and a large quantity of ammunition from Lockheed Martin.
  • HIMARS would give the Swedish Army a range of 80 to 300 kilometers, compared with 50 to 60 kilometers for its Archer artillery system.
  • Sweden and Finland will deepen cooperation on maintenance, repairs and joint exercises, while Saab and Lockheed Martin plan to cooperate on ammunition production.

Sweden is buying the U.S.-made HIMARS rocket artillery system in a deal expected to cost more than 7 billion kronor. The government has authorized the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration to proceed with the purchase for the Swedish Army.

This strengthens our defence capability and makes an attack on Sweden more difficult.

· Pål JonsonThe Swedish defence minister described the security effect of the HIMARS purchase.

The deal will include more than 10 trucks equipped with launchers made by Lockheed Martin, along with a large quantity of ammunition. Defence Minister Pål Jonson said the first deliveries could take place as early as next year. The plans were presented at a press conference at the Uppland Air Flotilla in Uppsala.

Sweden currently has no rocket artillery system. HIMARS would extend the army's artillery range to between 80 and 300 kilometers, depending on the ammunition used. A new type of ammunition under development could reach 500 kilometers. Sweden's existing Archer system, which fires shells from gun barrels, has a range of 50 to 60 kilometers.

It gives us the opportunity to strike targets at much greater distances than with older artillery.

· Pål JonsonJonson explained the range advantage HIMARS would provide.

"This strengthens our defence capability and makes an attack on Sweden more difficult," Jonson said. He also said HIMARS would allow Sweden to strike targets at much greater distances than older artillery. The system has been used by the Ukrainian army in its war against Russia's invading forces.

We can build up security of supply between Swedish and American defence industries.

· Pål JonsonHe highlighted planned Saab and Lockheed Martin cooperation on ammunition production.

A key factor in the decision is planned cooperation between Swedish defence company Saab and Lockheed Martin on ammunition production. Jonson said this could help secure future supplies and eventually lead to an ammunition factory in Sweden. Sweden and Finland will also deepen their cooperation, allowing Swedish HIMARS systems to be maintained and repaired in Finland. The countries will conduct joint exercises, and both systems use the same ammunition and fire-control system, although Finland operates the heavier tracked M209 rather than the wheeled HIMARS.

We need to produce much more ammunition in Sweden and Europe. This is an important step in that direction.

· Pål JonsonJonson linked the deal to broader efforts to expand ammunition production.
About this summary

Originally published by Svenska Dagbladet in Swedish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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