Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine differs significantly from the wars of the last century. It has become more technological and, consequently, has introduced new terms. Today, the Prompolitinform portal about a new word in the military lexicon and an important concept of the modern battlefield — HIMARS.
What is HIMARS and what are its features?
The M142 HIMARS is a high-precision multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) manufactured in the United States and used to strike targets at long distances.
Key characteristics:
Accuracy: striking targets with minimal deviation. The use of GPS-guided munitions (GMLRS) allows targets to be hit at distances of up to 80 km with an error margin of only a few meters.
Range: Depending on the type of munitions, the firing range varies from 15 to 1,000 km.
Mobility: rapid deployment and repositioning. The system can deploy, launch rockets, and leave the position in less than a minute. HIMARS’ high mobility enables the use of shoot-and-scoot tactics, as at speeds of up to 85 km/h the system is an extremely difficult target for enemy reconnaissance and artillery.
Effectiveness: a high rate of destruction of enemy depots, headquarters, and logistics infrastructure.
HIMARS became one of the key factors that changed the course of the war in Ukraine in the summer of 2022. Thanks to its high mobility and precision, it allowed the Armed Forces of Ukraine to effectively destroy enemy logistics and command posts. During the first weeks of HIMARS deployment, the Ukrainian army destroyed dozens of large Russian ammunition depots deep behind enemy lines, leading to a “shell shortage” for occupying forces during the offensive in Donbas.
Well-known cases of successful M142 HIMARS use
- Strike on the dormitory in Makiivka (January 1, 2023): one of the most high-profile strikes, resulting in the elimination of hundreds of Russian mobilized troops stationed in a vocational school building.
- Destruction of air defense systems inside Russia (June 2024): after receiving permission to strike military targets on Russian territory, the Armed Forces of Ukraine successfully hit an S-300/400 battery in the Belgorod region, significantly reducing the intensity of shelling of Kharkiv.
- Control over bridges: HIMARS played a decisive role in the liberation of the right-bank part of the Kherson region by systematically disabling the Antonivskyi Bridge and the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant dam, cutting off Russian forces from supply routes.
Photo: WIKIMEDIA
