According to a statement from the White House, the HIMARS M142 multiple rocket launchers will be included in the new defence aid package that the US will send to Ukraine worth $ 700 million. 

The HIMARS System (HIgh Mobility Artillery Rocket System) of the US Lockheed Martin can fully support a wide range of operations with its precision strike capabilities. It can be especially useful for anti-access area denial (A2/AD) operations, but also for strategic strikes (with long-range ammunition TACMS).

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The system is compatible and interoperable with the ammunition of the MLRS family of launchers, which is also in service with the Hellenic Armed Forces. 

HIMARS M142 Technical characteristics: 

• Length: 7 m
• Width: 2.4 m
• Height: 3.2 m
• Crew: 3 (Driver, Gunner, Launcher Chief)
• Armament: 6 X ER GMLRS/GMLRS Missiles or 1 TACMS Missile
• Maximum range of missiles: 70 km – GMLRS / 135+ km ER GMLRS / 300 km TACMS and – in the future – PrSM (Precision Strike Missile) with a range of up to 499 km 
• Mounted on: 5-ton Truck (FMVT)
• Air Transport Capability: C130 aircraft or larger

According to international media reports, the 4 systems that the US will send to Ukraine will be equipped with GMLRS missiles with a range of up to 70 km, apparently to limit their deployment in defence operations and not to be used against remote blows in Russia, which would provoke greater reactions. 

The HIMARS system can carry either a GMLRS six-missile launcher or a TACMS missile and can support the entire GMLRS range of ammunition, which includes warheads (Unitary) weighing approximately 90 kg (200 lb), alternative warhead and extended range (ER) missiles. So far, the US will not supply Ukraine with 300-kilometer TACMS missiles, apparently to restrict the deployment of the system in defence operations.

The new aid package, in addition to the HIMARS systems, also includes other weapon systems such as surveillance radar, artillery radar, Javelin launchers, 155 mm artillery missiles, etc.

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