Is Ukraine’s Use of the HIMARS Making the Case for Land-Based Strike Capabilities? Plus

In September, Ukraine announced that it was undertaking counteroffensive operations across its southern areas. Thus far, those operations have culminated in the recovery of key territory, notably Kharkiv, which had been under Russian occupation since the early stages of this war.

There is no doubt that Ukraine’s reclamation push is geo-politically significant. This is the first-time today’s world is seeing a country reverse the military occupation of another country through a conventional war. It is unclear if Ukraine will succeed, but its current push is not an event to ignore or overlook.

But in its fight, Ukraine is also writing a playbook of how other countries might employ their conventional warfare capabilities, especially against a larger and better-equipped foe.

One of the key assets Ukraine has been using in its bid to reclaim territory has been the U.S-supplied M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). While a multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) at its core, the HIMARS is functionally a stand-off range precision-strike asset.

Background: HIMARS

The end-user can configure the HIMARS with different types of guided rockets. Its load-out can comprise of either six 227 mm rockets or a single 610 mm rocket.