STOCKHOLM — Sweden has authorized the Swedish Armed Forces to procure the U.S.-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) from Lockheed Martin in a deal worth around SEK 7 billion ($729 million). Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2027.
The procurement covers about 10 HIMARS launchers and ammunition. It will be funded through the Swedish Armed Forces’ regular investment plan as an “opportune purchase” under the Total Defence Bill 2025–2030.
HIMARS will provide Swedish forces with a long-range precision-strike capability, allowing units to operate over larger areas and engage targets at greater distances than current systems. It will complement existing artillery, including the Archer system and grenade launchers, while being compatible with equipment used by allied forces.
Sweden and Finland Expand Cooperation
Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson and Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen also signed a joint declaration covering cooperation on rocket artillery.
Finland already operates the tracked Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), which uses the same munitions and many of the same components as HIMARS. The cooperation will include joint training, education, maintenance, capability development, security of supply and production cooperation.
Jonson said the introduction of rocket artillery demonstrates Sweden’s responsibility for European security. He said the agreement with Finland aims to strengthen capacity-building, maintenance and security of supply while developing capabilities for NATO’s collective defence. Sweden said the cooperation will strengthen defence capabilities in northern Europe.
Saab and Lockheed Martin Explore Industrial Cooperation
Separately, Saab and Lockheed Martin are signing a joint declaration on possible industrial cooperation linked to the HIMARS programme.
The companies will examine the integration of Saab’s Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) with HIMARS. They will also discuss production of ammunition for HIMARS and other systems, including the Patriot air-defence system. Sweden said the cooperation will improve the security of ammunition supply.
The Swedish government described rocket artillery as an important capability for long-range and precision engagements and said rapidly available systems are needed to complement conventional artillery in the current security environment.
The deal follows U.S. approval in March 2026 for a potential package of up to 20 HIMARS systems and associated munitions. The procurement now authorized by Sweden covers the initial batch of about 10 systems.
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