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The US State Department has approved the sale of 20 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers to the Netherlands, in a deal worth US$670 million.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the possible sale on 16 February, advising the deal would support US foreign policy and have no adverse impact on US defence readiness.
The Netherlands has requested the launchers, 39 M30A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, 39 alternative warhead missile pods with Insensitive Munitions Propulsion System (IMPS), 38 M31A2 GMLRS unitary high explosive missile pods with IMPS, 80 M57 Army Tactical Missile System missile pods, and 17 M1152A1 high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles.
The sale would also include support equipment such as practice rocket pods, radios, cargo trucks, medium tactical vehicles, resupply vehicles, a wrecker truck, trailers, loaders, machine gun mounts, camouflage screen, laptops, technical data, and logistics support services.
“The proposed sale will improve the Netherlands’ military goals of updating capability while further enhancing interoperability with the United States and other allies,” a US State Department spokesperson said.
“The Netherlands intends to use these defence articles and services to modernise its armed forces and expand its capability to strengthen its homeland defence and deter regional threats.
“The Netherlands will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”
Lockheed Martin has been selected as the principal contractor and US government or contractor representatives will travel to the Netherlands twice a year to support equipment fielding and training.
