Croatia Upgrades Missile Defences With $390m Deal

Croatia has agreed a deal to acquire eight Lockheed Martin High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and warheads to boost its artillery defences.

As per a Pentagon press statement this week, the U.S. State Department has just approved the potential sale of the M142 HIMARS launchers and armaments; the total value of the deal has been estimated at about $390 million.

As well as the eight HIMARS systems the proposed sale also includes 24 M30A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Alternative Warhead (AW) Pods, and an identical  number of M31A2 GMLRS-Unitary High Explosive (HE) Pods.

It also includes ten High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles in two different configurations and 36 Defense Advanced GPS Receivers (DAGR), as well as other related equipment and logistical support. 

The HIMARS missile system is principally produced by Lockheed Martin; it carries a pod which can be equipped with either six guided rockets or one Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). It has been in service since 2010 and has been used in conflicts in Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq as well as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The DSCA statement noted: "This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a NATO ally that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe."

It also remarked that the sale would "improve Croatia’s capability to deter current and future threats and support coalition operations as well as promote interoperability with the United States and other NATO forces."

You can read the full details of the proposed sale on the DSCA website