The United States may allow European allies to adapt their multiple launch rocket systems to fire American ammunition following heavy weapons supplies to Ukraine.
Reports that Washington could begin issuing permits for the modification of European launchers to use American-made shells and rockets first emerged on August 18.
Military analyst Igor Korotchenko told Russian state news agency RIA Novosti that the proposed move stems from a widespread deficit of military hardware following extensive transfers to Kyiv.
Korotchenko said Washington is seeking to standardize rocket artillery capabilities across member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as ammunition stockpiles dwindle.
He added that the United States itself is suffering critically from a lack of necessary reserves of anti-aircraft guided missiles and precision-guided weapons due to the war in Iran.
According to the analyst, European NATO members previously transferred substantial volumes of munitions to the armed forces of Ukraine and are now attempting to address their existing inventory shortages.
Deficit drives standardization across NATO platforms
The adaptation of European launching platforms specifically concerns ammunition used by High Mobility Artillery Rocket System platforms, commonly known as HIMARS.
Korotchenko noted that several European nations are developing universal rocket artillery systems designed as conceptual analogues to American launchers stationed in Europe, including the wheeled M142 HIMARS and the tracked M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System.
He highlighted the EuroPULS GTF 8X8 platform, currently under development by the Franco-German defense company KNDS, as a primary example of this new generation of European systems.
He also pointed to existing European artillery systems, including Germany's MARS II rocket launcher, Italy's MLRS Improved system, and France's MLRS LRU modification.
European arsenals adapt to shifting supply chains
A multiple launch rocket system allows military forces to fire multiple unguided or guided rockets in rapid succession at distant targets.
At present, several NATO member countries maintain US-built HIMARS platforms within their national armed forces, while other European nations utilize Israeli-designed Precise and Universal Launching Systems, known as PULS, or pursue domestic development programs.
By permitting European launchers to accommodate American munitions, Washington aims to establish interchangeable rocket supplies across allied forces as western defense industries respond to ongoing global stockpile pressures.
