Canada not expected to get U.S. artillery rocket system until late 2029

A High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is fired as part of joint drills between the U.S. and the Philippines on Aug. 9, 2024, in Laur, Nueva Ecija province, Philippines. (Ezra Acayan/Getty Images) (Ezra Acayan/Photographer: Ezra Acayan/Getty )

The Canadian Army will not receive High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) approved for sale by the United States until at least 2029, defence officials confirm.

Last month, the U.S. State Department approved the sale of 26 of the mobile rocket launchers to Canada, in a deal valued at an estimated $2.4 billion.

An official U.S. government letter of offer for the contract is “expected soon,” according to a National Defence spokesperson, after which Ottawa is anticipated to commit to the purchase.

The proposed deal encompasses hundreds of rocket pods for the mobile launchers, including Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) units — powerful ballistic missiles that have gained global attention through their use by Ukraine against invading Russian forces.

National Defense spokesperson Andrée-Anne Poulin says the first delivery of the HIMARS is not expected until late 2029 “under current project timelines,” but the Canadian Army will likely begin training on the platform before the units arrive.

The Pentagon has estimated the weapons package’s value at US$1.75 billion (CAD$2.47 billion), though the final price remains subject to negotiation.

“As with any large-scale procurement project, we continue to engage with our partners on realistic and appropriate costs for this capability to ensure the best value is provided to Canadians,” Poulin said.

“Exact project costs will be known once the agreement is in place and contract awarded.”

The HIMARS acquisition fulfills a commitment of the 2024 defence policy update, which promised a long-range strike capability for the Canadian Army.

Currently, the army relies primarily on traditional howitzer artillery guns with a maximum reach of up to 40 kilometres, compared to the 300-kilometre reach of the HIMARS.

“The HIMARS are the only available capability that will meet all the Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces requirements,” National Defence spokesperson Kened Sadiku wrote in an emailed statement.

The HIMARS platform’s precise targeting capability and extended range “will revolutionize the way the Canadian Army can conduct operations,” Sadiku added.

“They will also be equipped with land-based anti-ship missile capabilities when available, which can help to defend Canadian coasts, including the Arctic. “

Following its adoption by Ukraine, several NATO countries bordering Russia have moved to adopt the HIMARS platform, including Latvia, where about 2,000 Canadian troops are currently deployed as part of the military’s largest mission abroad.

The U.S. Department of Defence says Canada’s HIMARS purchase “will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States” by increasing both continental security, as well as “defense and deterrence in Europe” through NATO.

The HIMARS and its munitions are manufactured by U.S. defence supplier Lockheed Martin.