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Sweden has approved the purchase of the U.S.-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) for around $733 million as Stockholm moves to strengthen its long-range firepower and expand defense cooperation with NATO allies.

The Swedish government announced that it had authorized the Swedish Armed Forces to procure HIMARS, with the first systems scheduled to be delivered in 2027. The purchase is part of Sweden’s wider effort to strengthen its military capabilities under its 2025–2030 Total Defense Bill.

At the same time, Sweden and Finland signed a Joint Declaration to increase cooperation on rocket artillery, including training, maintenance, capability development, security of supply and production.

Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson said the acquisition demonstrated Sweden’s commitment to European security. Jonson said, “The introduction of rocket artillery clearly demonstrates that Sweden is taking responsibility for security in Europe.”

He added, “The Joint Declaration with Finland aims to boost capacity-building, maintenance and security of supply for the systems. Together, we are developing important capabilities for NATO’s collective defense,” Jonson said.

Stronger Long-Range Firepower

The HIMARS acquisition will give the Swedish Armed Forces greater ability to conduct long-range precision strikes and operate across larger areas than its existing artillery systems.

Sweden currently relies on systems such as the Archer self-propelled howitzer and other conventional artillery. The government said rocket artillery would provide an important complement to these systems, particularly as modern warfare increasingly places emphasis on long-range and precision fires.

Together with Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen, I am presenting the next step for Sweden’s long-range artillery. Sweden will procure HIMARS for around SEK 7 billion. The first systems will be delivered already next year, strengthening the Army’s capability. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/H2okSv4jMH

— Pål Jonson (@PlJonson) September 7, 2026

The Swedish government said rapidly available capabilities are needed because of the current security environment. HIMARS will also provide Sweden with a system compatible with those operated by other NATO members, strengthening interoperability within the alliance.

The HIMARS system is produced by US defense company Lockheed Martin. Sweden’s purchase will cost around SEK 7 billion, equivalent to approximately $733 million.

The procurement will be financed through the Swedish Armed Forces’ regular investment plan and under an “opportune purchase” framework. The acquisition is included in Sweden’s Total Defense Bill for 2025–2030.

Swedish Army Chief Maj. Gen. Johan Pekkari said the acquisition would provide a significant new capability for Sweden and its allies.

“The fact that we are now procuring HIMARS and getting long-range precision combat capability on the ground is important not only for the Army but for the Armed Forces as a whole and for our allies,” Pekkari said.

The HIMARS systems are expected to be organized into a dedicated rocket artillery unit. Sweden announced plans for such a unit in 2024, alongside two Archer battalions.

Sweden and Finland Deepen Cooperation

The HIMARS purchase is being accompanied by a broader Swedish-Finnish effort to develop rocket artillery capabilities. Sweden and Finland have signed a Joint Declaration covering cooperation in training, education, capability development, maintenance, security of supply and production.

The agreement is particularly significant because Finland already operates the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), which uses the same munitions and components as HIMARS.

The commonality between the two systems could make it easier for the neighboring countries to cooperate on training, logistics, maintenance, and ammunition supplies. The Swedish government said the cooperation would strengthen the defense capabilities of northern Europe and contribute to NATO’s collective defense.

The agreement also comes as both Sweden and Finland continue to deepen military integration following their accession to NATO.

Saab and Lockheed Martin Explore Munition Cooperation

Alongside the HIMARS procurement, Lockheed Martin and Swedish defense company Saab are signing a Joint Declaration on potential industrial cooperation.

The companies will explore the possible integration of Saab’s Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb, or GLSDB, with HIMARS. They will also examine the production of munitions for HIMARS and other systems, including the Patriot air defense system.

The Swedish government said such cooperation could contribute to strengthening security of supply for critical munitions.

The potential integration of GLSDB would also create an opportunity for Sweden to combine a Swedish-developed precision munition with the US-made HIMARS launcher. The focus on domestic and regional production reflects growing European efforts to improve ammunition availability and reduce vulnerabilities in defense supply chains.

Growing European Demand for Rocket Artillery

Sweden’s decision comes amid growing European interest in long-range rocket artillery as countries across the continent seek to expand their ability to conduct precision strikes.

HIMARS has become one of the most widely recognized Western rocket artillery systems, particularly because of its use by Ukraine during the war with Russia. Several European countries have either acquired the system or considered it as part of efforts to modernize their long-range fires.

Sweden’s neighboring Norway, however, selected South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace to provide its Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher system earlier this year. Norway chose the South Korean system over HIMARS, with the availability of longer-range munitions among the factors considered.

Croatia has also moved to acquire South Korea’s Chunmoo system, highlighting the growing competition among suppliers in the European rocket artillery market. France is separately developing a European rocket artillery solution through MBDA and Safran.

The competing programs reflect a broader European push to rebuild long-range strike capabilities after years in which many militaries placed greater emphasis on shorter-range artillery and expeditionary operations.

Part of Sweden’s Wider Military Buildup

The HIMARS purchase forms part of Sweden’s broader military expansion as Stockholm responds to a deteriorating European security environment.

Sweden has significantly increased its defense focus since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and has also placed greater emphasis on strengthening military capabilities in northern Europe.

The country’s NATO membership has further increased the importance of interoperability with allied forces and the ability to contribute capabilities to collective defense.

The new rocket artillery capability will complement Sweden’s existing Archer artillery systems rather than replace them. The combination is expected to give the Swedish Armed Forces a broader range of options for both conventional artillery support and longer-range precision fires.

The cooperation with Finland could further increase the effectiveness of these capabilities by creating opportunities for shared training, maintenance and supply arrangements.

With the first HIMARS deliveries scheduled for 2027, Sweden is set to add a new long-range strike capability to its armed forces while simultaneously expanding defense-industrial and military cooperation with Finland.

The move marks another step in Stockholm’s effort to strengthen its own military capabilities and contribute more directly to NATO’s collective defense in northern Europe.