US approves sale of eight HIMARS systems to Croatia

The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Croatia of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and related equipment and services for an estimated cost of $390 million, Report informs referring to the Defence Security Cooperation Agency.

The Government of Croatia has requested to buy eight (8) M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS); twenty-four (24) M30A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Alternative Warhead (AW) Pods with Insensitive Munitions Propulsion System (IMPS); twenty-four (24) M31A2 GMLRS-Unitary High Explosive (HE) Pods with IMPS; two (2) M1152 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV) with Next Generation SECM (NG SECM); eight (8) M1152 HMMWVs with Command and Control Communications Shelters; and thirty-six (36) Defense Advanced GPS Receivers (DAGR).

"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.

The proposed sale will improve Croatia’s capability to deter current and future threats and support coalition operations as well as promote interoperability with the United States and other NATO forces. Croatia will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region," reads the report.