Does the US Have Enough HIMARS and Rockets for Ukraine? Production, Stockpile,…

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July 23, 2022

Does the US Have Enough HIMARS and Rockets for Ukraine? Production, Stockpile, Capability, and More

Video Summary

The M142 HIMARS, a multiple launch rocket system, is a game-changer in the war in Ukraine. Its smaller size and guided rockets make it a more agile and accurate weapon than its predecessors. The US has procured about 450 HIMARS, with 395 in service, and has been procuring 20 new ones each year. Ukraine has received 12 and is expected to receive more. The rockets are guided and can hit targets with precision, making them a significant advantage over unguided Russian rocket artillery.

Russia is struggling to countermine the HIMARS, trying to hunt them down and destroy them, but it’s a difficult task. The rockets are difficult to detect and the enemy can move quickly to attack from unexpected angles. The video footage of Russian claims to have destroyed HIMARS is questionable, and the real number of destroyed launchers is unknown.

The US is also providing older M270 MLRS to Ukraine, which can fire guided rockets, but the HIMARS has a longer range and is more accurate. The US Army has procured about 58,000 GM LR rockets, with 16 systems operating in Ukraine, each firing and reloading three times a day.

The logistics of transporting and maintaining the HIMARS are significant, with each pod weighing 2.5 tons and needing to be hidden from enemy detection. The Russians have stated that they will stop heavy vehicles from crossing the bridge at Kursk, Ukraine’s best chance of retaking one of their cities.

The future of HIMARS looks promising, with the potential to carry longer-range missiles like the attack um, which could allow Ukraine to strike Crimea and even Sevastopol from their current positions. However, the US is hesitant to give Ukraine these missiles, fearing it could lead to escalation. The real limiting factor is the number of rockets available, with the US producing about 2,000 per year. Ukraine will need to use the HIMARS effectively to turn the tide of the war.