Italy has ordered 21 HIMARS MLRS

Italy has ordered 21 M142 HIMARS rocket systems from the United States to expand its long-range strike capabilities.

This was reported by the Land Armaments Directorate of the Italian Ministry of Defense.

Thus, the Italian armed forces will become another European operator of American wheeled MLRS.

It was on January 7, 2025, that the second contract was signed for 14 HIMARS launchers. Its implementation will bring the total number of such systems ordered by Italy to 21.

In addition to the supply of launchers, the agreement includes the provision of technical support for this weapon.

The program to purchase American M142s for the Italian army began in February last year.

This came after the US State Department approved a potential sale of M142 HIMARS rocket launchers to Italy in December 2023.

The estimated total cost of the potential order of 21 artillery missile systems and related equipment was then estimated at $400 million.

The US Department of Defense's Office of Defense Cooperation and Security said in a statement that Italy would use modern American weapons to enhance the combat capabilities of its own armed forces. sil.

HIMARS

M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System – from English «highly mobile artillery rocket system») is mounted on the chassis of the M1140 FMTV six-wheeled tactical truck.

The HIMARS launcher can be used as a multiple launch rocket system with high-precision ammunition of various ranges. The system can also be used as an operational-tactical missile system for launching the M57 ATACMS short-range ballistic missile at a distance of up to 300 km.

The system is designed to destroy areas of concentration of artillery systems, anti-aircraft and fire support means, cargo transport, combat vehicles and armored personnel carriers, as well as to provide fire support.