World News
After watching Ukraine, Russia’s NATO neighbors are betting big on US-made HIMARS rocket artillery
Russia’s neighbors in NATO are strengthening their defenses, bracing for aggression from Moscow.
They’ve picked the US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System to be part of their arsenals.
Estonia’s defense minister told BI that the way Russia is fighting shows deep strike capabilities are needed.
NATO allies sharing a border with Russia are turning to the US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System as they arm themselves for the possibility of Russian aggression.
The HIMARS, made by US defense giant Lockheed Martin, is a multiple rocket launcher. Ukraine has been using it as part of its fight against Russia’s invasion. Though a game changer when first introduced, the system’s effectiveness has diminished. Still, it’s considered a necessary capability by Russia’s neighbors.
The three Baltic countries are concerned that Russia could attack them next after Ukraine. Boosting their defenses, they have selected the HIMARS as a key weapon.
Estonia received six HIMARS in April, Latvia has an agreement with the US for six of the systems, expected by 2027, and Lithuania is purchasing eight of them, with the first deliveries expected this year.
These countries see the deep strike capability as critical based on watching Ukraine. Hanno Pevkur, Estonia’s defense minister, explained to Business Insider that his country believes the combat-tested HIMARS send a “deterrence message” to Russia.
“We have the long strike capability, deep strike capability in Estonia already today,” he said.
Ukraine shows the need
Beyond lessons on the importance of maintaining robust air defenses, deep ammunition stockpiles, and strong electronic warfare capabilities, the war in Ukraine has shown that the ability to strike deep behind enemy lines or into hostile territory is essential, Pevkur said. The HIMARS deliver that capability.
When Ukraine first received HIMARS from the US, Russian ammo depots, command and control centers, and more that had been out of reach of Ukrainian artillery were suddenly vulnerable. The Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System had the reach needed to strike critical Russian targets. These surface-to-surface rockets have a range of around 70 kilometers, and Ukraine put them to use battering tactically significant Russian targets.
Specifically, Ukraine has used the weapons to strike Russian troops, ammunition depots, and aircraft.
Ukraine later received Army Tactical Missile Systems with significantly longer range but was initially barred from striking into Russia, leaving Russian forces free to mass troops and weaponry in a safe haven. By the time those restrictions were lifted, Ukraine lacked a sufficient supply of them to properly prosecute Russian targets using those missiles.
Ukraine’s deep strike campaign has largely depended on homemade drones and anti-ship missiles modified for land attack. The HIMARS served Ukraine well but had far greater potential. In a war with Russia, NATO allies wouldn’t have to fight with one hand tied behind their backs as Ukraine often has and would be able to use the weapon as intended.
HIMARS were among the first big weapons the West trusted Ukraine to receive. Their effective use in battle opened the door to more substantial military aid, including armored fighting vehicles, tanks, and even fighter aircraft like American-made F-16s and French Mirages.
Source: businessinsider.com
