Lockheed Martin and the Romanian company Aerostar inaugurated Europe’s first certified High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) maintenance service centre in Romania’s eastern city of Bacau.

According to a relevant announcement, the maintenance centre will increase readiness and lower operational costs for HIMARS rocket systems operated by Romania’s land forces and its NATO allies, facilitating the creation of jobs in the country.

The HIMARS, which became known to the audience from their successful usage in Ukraine, is a long-range, mobile, precision fire launcher that can use multiple munitions types, while it is transportable by Lockheed Martin’s C-130 military transport aircraft.

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The opening of the HIMARS maintenance hub in Bacau follows Lockheed and Aerostar’s inauguration of a Black Hawk helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul centre in the same city at the beginning of the year.

Regarding Aerostar, this company specialises in repairing and upgrading military aircraft, producing light aircraft, hydraulic equipment for aviation and piston engines as well as electronics and other specialized equipment. 

In August 2020, Aerostar was also designated as a provider of maintenance services for Romania’s F-16 fighter jets.

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