After the decision to expand the Souda Naval Station, and the future movement of half of the Greek fleet with a squadron of fighter aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles, other programmes took over.
One of them is the 1.081 billion euro MLRS M-270 missile modernization, decided in the Parliament, according to the Greek press.
The MLRS MIRS system is used by artillery units of the Greek Army in General Support missions and can engage targets with suitable ammunition at a range of 165 km.
The decision concerns the modernisation of 24 of the 36 launchers, so that the existing stock of weapons (M26 rockets) can continue to be used by the remaining 12 M270s.
We are talking about a new Fire Control Fire Control System (CFCS) which does not put the M26 rockets available to the Greek Artillery.
But wouldn't it be better to include the M142 HIMARS missiles in the Greek arsenal?
Turkey has equipped its arsenal with a series of long-range bora, atmaca, Tayfun, and other long-range missiles with the capability of a long-range strike either on the islands of the Eastern Aegean or in Western Thrace.
Shouldn't we take a longer-term view of the whole affair, and especially a realistic one, to acquire lethal missile systems targeting the Turkish mainland, with missile systems from our islands.
M142 HIMARS
The M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is a lightweight multiple rocket launcher developed in the late 1990s for the United States Army.
The HIMARS carries a launcher to launch either six GMLRS or one ATACMS rocket.
It is served by a five-ton truck of the United States Army's Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) and is capable of launching all missiles specified in the Multiple Launch Munitions System (MFOM) family of missile launchers.
The launcher can be transported by Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft.
The HIMARS is similar in design to the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), with the main exception that it is a wheeled vehicle The HIMARS carries an ammunition carrier, which is identical to the carriers used by the M270, and includes an armoured cabin for increased crew protection.
When firing precision GMLRS-Unitary rockets, the HIMARS can achieve a range of 70-plus kilometres, engaging a target with low collateral damage, allowing close support of fighting friendly sections, striking enemy targets at a distance of 200 metres or more from them.
HIMARS was also tested as a single launch system for both artillery rockets and the surface-launched SLAMRAAM variant of the AMRAAM anti-aircraft missile.
In October 2017, the Marine Corps launched a HIMARS missile while at sea against a land-based target for the first time, specifically from the deck of the USS Anchorage amphibious operations ship, demonstrating the system's ability to operate while on board ships to deliver precision fire from a distance against enemy shores.
Specifications
Crew 3: gunner, driver and leader
Weight 16,200 kg (35,800 lbs)
Length 7 m (23 feet)
Width 2.4 m (7 feet 10 inches)
Height 3.2 m (10 feet)
Maximum Range 480 km (300 mi)
Road speed 85 km/h (53 mph)
Armament 1 launcher with 6 M30/M31 GMLRS series rockets or 1 ATACMS missile
The weapon system is credited with Ukraine's success in defending itself against Russian aggression, striking high-value targets with impressive accuracy, such as a number of ammunition-fuel depots, transportation hubs, Headquarters Posts, Command Stations and other targets.
Our islands are known to have been well and truly targeted by the Turks and the Archipelago appears to be the most likely theatre of operations of a Greek-Turkish war, with which we are constantly threatened by the leadership of Turkey, with Erdogan and his Foreign Minister and Foreign Minister, first and foremost, following close behind.
Also in the range of HIMARS targets it is implied that they will also be high priority targets of the Turks in case of a military conflict, such as number of ammunition - fuel depots, transport hubs, Headquarters, Command Stations, concentrations of forces and assets and other targets.
