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Ukraine’s Own-Made HIMARS? Kyiv Develops Domestic Missile System to Cut Reliance on Western Arms
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Ukraine is developing its own multifunctional missile system modeled in part on the US-made HIMARS, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and adapt launch platforms to battlefield experience, Defense Express reported on December 24.
Colonel Andrii Zhuravlov, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Rocket Forces and Artillery Command of Ukraine’s Ground Forces, stated that the project envisions a single, universal platform capable of launching various types of munitions, including guided rockets similar to GMLRS, as well as missiles of different classes. He shared the details in comments to RBC-Ukraine.
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Despite already operating HIMARS systems supplied by partners, Ukraine wants a domestic alternative that can integrate Ukrainian-developed weapons and reflect lessons learned during the war.
Zhuravlov previously noted that Ukraine continues to upgrade its Vilkha multiple-launch rocket system, which is seen as a stepping stone toward a broader, more flexible missile platform, Defense Express reported.
The move is also driven by political and industrial considerations. Defense Express notes that the US has been reluctant to integrate GMLRS rockets into non-American launch systems, effectively requiring countries to buy HIMARS if they want to use those munitions.
Developing a Ukrainian system would give Kyiv greater freedom in integrating weapons and planning for the long term.
According to Defense Express, the future system could be built on a European chassis, similar to the Bohdana self-propelled howitzer program, which uses German trucks and has received significant European funding.
The new launcher could potentially fire not only rockets and missiles, including long-range and possibly ballistic types, but also drones, following concepts already seen in European systems such as the EuroPuls platform.
Previously, it was reported that The 155th Separate Mechanized Brigade, named after Anna of Kyiv, has released a video of the French-made CAESAR self-propelled howitzer in action, highlighting the system’s accuracy when paired with aerial reconnaissance, the brigade stated.
The CAESAR platform—a highly mobile, truck-mounted artillery system—is described by Ukrainian forces as combining maneuverability, rapid deployment, and precision that “artillery systems of this class rarely demonstrate.”
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