Poland will establish a service center for HIMARS launchers in 2023 and is discussing the details of an order for 500 more launchers, Poland’s defense minister said on Thursday, Reuters reported.

Mariusz Blaszczak, after talks with the management of Lockheed Martin Corp, said that the HIMARS manufacturer is ready to cooperate with the Polish defense industry to increase the production of launchers.

“During this year, we will create a HIMARS center similar to the Abrams center that is already operating in Poland,” Mariusz Blaszczak told TVP public television.

“Our assumption is that the HIMARS center will be a service and production center for HIMARS not only for the needs of Poland, but also for the needs of (other) European countries,” he added.

Blaszczak said the first US HIMARS launchers ordered in 2019 will arrive in Poland in mid-May.

In February, the US State Department approved the potential sale of long-range missiles, rockets and launchers, including 18 HIMARS launchers, to Poland.

Blaszczak also reported that the US Congress had approved the sale of 500 more launchers to be installed on Polish Jelcz trucks.

Last May, Poland asked the United States for 500 more HIMARS launchers, but Lockheed Martin said it was only able to provide about 200, according to Polish media.

Blaszczak said he will meet with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday to sign a cooperation agreement on arms orders.

“This agreement will also create a basis for more effective cooperation between the Polish defense industry and the US defense industry.”

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