U.S. orders GMLRS missiles for $4.79 billion

28 April, 2023 GMLRS missile container during final inspection at Letterkenny Munitions Center, USA The United States is ordering an additional batch of GMLRS missiles worth £4.79 billion. The U.S.

Department of Defense made the announcement on April 27. The GMLRS missiles will be manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The total value of the order amounts to £4.79 billion.

The approximate term of its implementation is until October 30, 2026. According to information from the draft budget of the U.S. Department of Defense for 2023, the planned value of GMLRS missiles in 2025 is £167,956.

The approximate volume of purchases can be outlined from the March request of the U.S. Department of Defense for the purchase of additional ammunition: it was envisaged to purchase 5,016 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) from Lockheed Martin for the amount of £886 million.

GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System) missile by Lockheed Martin for the M142 HIMARS and M270 systems, 2021. The USA.

Photo credits: T. A. O'Brien

This contract fits into the recently announced plans of the United States to drastically increase the production of artillery munitions and GMLRS missiles.

In March, Gabe Camarillo, Army Undersecretary, said that the U.S. planned to double the production of artillery shells by the end of 2023. There are also plans to sextuple their production over the next five years. At the Association of the U.S.

Army's Global Force Symposium, Camarillo said that the Pentagon would spend some £1.45 billion to upgrade production facilities. Investments should support the defense capability of Ukraine with new shells and replenish the reserves of the U.S. army.

GMLRS

GMLRS is a 227mm high-precision guided missile for MRL, which was developed and manufactured by the American company Lockheed Martin.

M142 HIMARS of the US military.

2021. Photo credits: U.S.

Pacific Fleet

GMLRS guided missiles are capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 80 km.

The missiles manage to deliver accurate strikes due to the presence of an improved Global Positioning System (GPS guidance) with an GPS antenna that is more resistant to interference from enemy EW systems.

The main launchers for these missiles are the M270 and M142 HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems.