Sweden to buy US HIMARS artillery for $730 million

Sweden will spend seven billion kronor, or $730 million, to buy US-made HIMARS rocket artillery for its military, the government said Monday.

The government said the acquisition would give the Swedish Armed Forces greater long-range capacity and allow them to operate over larger areas than with current systems.

Defence Minister Pal Jonson told reporters that the deal covered about 10 trucks fitted with launchers and a large quantity of ammunition, news agency TT reported. The first deliveries of the Lockheed Martin-made system are set for 2027, according to the government.

Sweden also announced a joint declaration with Finland to deepen cooperation on the countries' rocket artillery systems. The Swedish government said Finland uses the Multiple Launch Rocket System, which uses the same munitions and components as HIMARS.

Sweden has been increasing its defences since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Sweden and Finland both ended decades of military non-alignment and joined NATO after the invasion.