Sweden plans to acquire the U.S.-made HIMARS rocket artillery system along with a large quantity of ammunition. The total value of the purchase is expected to exceed 7 billion Swedish kronor, or approximately $750 million.
The package, developed after years of preparations, includes more than 10 firing units and GMLRS ammunition. The first HIMARS systems are expected to arrive in Sweden next year.
Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson said this capability would allow the Swedish army to strike targets at much greater distances, extending beyond its existing capabilities.
In connection with the acquisition plan, Sweden's Saab and U.S.-based Lockheed Martin signed a letter of intent to produce Precision Strike Missile ammunition in Sweden in order to overcome shortages in the global supply of HIMARS ammunition. The missiles were said to have a range of up to 500 kilometers.
Sweden and Finland have also decided to expand their cooperation on HIMARS. The plan calls for training and technical maintenance activities to be carried out in Finland.
Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen described the decision as a new stage in deepening the two countries' military cooperation.