The US Government approves the sale of long-range artillery and rocket systems to Latvia
Latvia is set to become the next operator of HIMARS (Photo: US Army)
Under the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) approved by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) Latvia could receive M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and M30A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS).
The sale of six HIMARS and 12 GMLRS to Latvia has been approved by the DSCA along with 10 M57 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) Pods and other systems in a deal worth up to US$220 million.
The order also includes 12 GMLRS unitary high explosive pods with insensitive munitions propulsion system, reduced range practice rocket pods, intercom systems to support the HIMARS Launcher and munitions and spares.
In July 2022, Latvia announced it was going to request the purchase of HIMARS which would provide a substantial boost to the country’s capabilities out to almost 600km and ATACMs which have a range of 300km.
Geopolitically the systems are key for Latvia as it has Russian-ally Belarus on one border and Russia, currently at war with Ukraine, on another.
The announcement was made on 23 October and on the same day the DSCA approved announced a $500 million sale for 150 AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles-Extended Range to Finland and $100 million for 36 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles to Lithuania.
In a quite different part of Europe to these orders, the DSCA also approved the sale to the UK of 3000 AGM-179A Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM) and ancillary equipment for an estimated cost of $957.4 million.
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![Australia invests $1.4 billion in additional AMRAAM buy]()
Australia invests $1.4 billion in additional AMRAAM buy
Some of the missiles ordered can be used on the F/A-18F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler and the F35-A Lightning.
-
![Armies turn to armour and self-defence as support vehicles near the frontline]()
Armies turn to armour and self-defence as support vehicles near the frontline
Combat losses of support and logistics vehicles in recent conflicts have highlighted the need for greater protection and even self-defence capabilities. What options are available to turn a basic truck into a survivor on the battlefield?
-
![German Army to receive third-generation Dingo protected patrol vehicles this year]()
German Army to receive third-generation Dingo protected patrol vehicles this year
More than 1,200 Dingo 1 and Dingo 2 models have been built and deployed by some 10 countries. The latest Dingo 3 pulls through from user inputs and, like earlier versions, is also based on a UNIMOG chassis.
-
![Hungary’s Gamma Technical expands vehicle range]()
Hungary’s Gamma Technical expands vehicle range
The company’s new variants of 4×6 and 6×6 vehicles are designed to be modular for a greater variety of missions and also flexibility at a subsystem level, for example transmission and engine.
-
![US Army seeks nearly $900 million to accelerate development and acquisition of CUAS capabilities]()
US Army seeks nearly $900 million to accelerate development and acquisition of CUAS capabilities
The branch plans to speed up the building and procurement of kinetic and non-kinetic systems for fixed, semi-fixed and on-the-move operations.
-
![Large 10×10 vehicles go in search of a role]()
Large 10×10 vehicles go in search of a role
Wheeled vehicles ranging in size from 4×4 to 8×8 provide high-speed at a good level of mobility compared to tracked. However, tracked can be larger and have a higher level of mobility in marginal terrain with a smaller turning circle. What are the possibilities for a 10×10?
