Earlier this year, Canada-U.S. relations were tense due to Washington's threats about turning its northern neighbor into a 51st state, tariffs, and concerns that the Pentagon could remotely disable F-35 fighters.Today, the U.S. cleared Canada to purchase HIMARS rocket systems.
According to the approval published by the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), Canada is allowed to buy 26 M142 HIMARS launchers with a significant ammunition stock: 1,584 GMLRS (264 packs), 384 GMLRS-ER (64 packs), and 65 ATACMS missiles.
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The total estimated cost, including all equipment and services, is $1.75 billion. Due to the large ammunition quantity, it's hard to determine the exact price per launcher or missile type. Overall, the approximate cost per HIMARS with a sufficient missile loadout is reasonable and comparable to previous approvals, such as for Croatia or the Baltic states.
It's important to note that the DSCA figure represents the maximum price; the final contract may be lower but is not guaranteed. While Canada does have alternatives, such as South Korea's K239 Chunmoo, current indications show Canadian forces are focused on acquiring the U.S. system.
Discussions about potentially revising the 88 F-35 fighter contract have so far remained just talk, and there has been no debate regarding the $77 billion River-class destroyer order, a missile ship equipped with Lockheed Martins Aegis system.
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