Sweden will acquire ten HIMARS rocket artillery launchers and ammunition from Lockheed Martin in a nearly €630 million contract, with deliveries starting in 2027 and costs covered by the military investment plan. The systems will expand Sweden's long-range precision strike capabilities and operate alongside the Archer artillery. Sweden and Finland signed a joint declaration to cooperate on training, maintenance, supply security and joint production, and Lockheed Martin and Saab will explore industrial integration and munitions production.
Sweden Agrees to Buy 10 HIMARS Launchers in Nearly €630M Deal, Deliveries From 2027
Sweden to buy Lockheed Martin's HIMARS rocket artillery in €630 million deal
The Swedish Ministry of Defence confirmed a purchase on Monday of ten High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) from Lockheed Martin in a deal worth almost €630 million. First deliveries are expected in 2027, and the acquisition will be funded through the armed forces' regular investment plan.
The package includes the launchers and associated ammunition. Swedish officials describe the purchase as an "opportune" move to fill a capability gap: rocket artillery extends strike range and precision well beyond conventional tube artillery and is intended to complement—not replace—Sweden's existing Archer self-propelled artillery system and grenade-launcher capabilities.
Operational and Strategic Benefits
HIMARS will allow Swedish forces to cover much larger areas and conduct long-range precision strikes. The systems are interoperable with equipment used by NATO allies, aligning Sweden's capabilities with those of partner nations and supporting collective defence.
Cooperation With Finland
In parallel with the procurement, Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson and Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen signed a joint declaration on close cooperation over rocket artillery. The agreement spans training and education, capability development, maintenance, security of supply and joint production, reflecting both technical synergies and political coordination.
FILE. Finland's Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen and Sweden's Defence Minister Pål Jonson shake hands after signing the agreement, 7 Sept. 2026 - Fredrik Sandberg/TT News Agency via AP
Finland already operates the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), which uses the same munitions and many compatible components as HIMARS. That commonality makes it easier for the two neighbours to pool stockpiles, streamline maintenance and avoid unnecessary duplication.
"The introduction of rocket artillery clearly demonstrates that Sweden is taking responsibility for security in Europe," Defence Minister Pål Jonson said. "Together, we are developing important capabilities for NATO's collective defence."
Industrial Dimension
The purchase includes an industrial cooperation element intended to keep some production and value inside Sweden. Lockheed Martin and Swedish defence group Saab signed a separate declaration exploring integration of Saab's Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb with HIMARS, and joint munitions production that could also support other platforms such as the Patriot air-defence system.
This industrial aspect matters beyond this single contract: European governments have faced pressure to rebuild domestic defence manufacturing capacity, and shortages in munitions production across the continent—exacerbated since Russia's invasion of Ukraine—have become a strategic bottleneck.
FILE: Finland's Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen and Sweden's Defence Minister Pål Jonson shake hands after signing the agreement, 7 Sept. 2026 - Fredrik Sandberg/TT News Agency via AP
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