Ukraine could receive US ATACMS missiles and M270 launchers
ATACMS (photo: sill-www army.mil)
US State Department has released documents on the transfer of M270 launchers, ATACMS missiles, cluster munitions, and artillery shells to Ukraine. The total value of the two packages exceeds $280 million, according to the US State Department document.
Weapons included
Based on documents, the transfer to Ukraine includes 12 M270 multiple launch rocket system launchers on a permanent basis.
They are accompanied by 2,524 DPICM dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (cluster) rockets and 47,000 M509AI DPICM 203 mm howitzer shells. The estimated value of this portion is approximately $255.9 million.
The documents separately mention the transfer of 70 M39 ATACMS missiles to Ukraine. The estimated value of this batch is about $28 million.
Arrangements of deliveries
The weapons are expected to be transferred through a number of private companies, including Turkey's MKE, ASFAT, and ARCA Savunma; Bulgaria's VTIC International; and US companies Pansophico and Patriot Defense Group.
The State Department said the transfer to Ukraine is consistent with US security assistance objectives. The US government is prepared to authorize the operation after taking into account political, military, economic, human rights, and arms-control considerations.
ATACMS is a US-made surface-to-surface ballistic missile produced by Lockheed Martin. The M39 (Block I) variant has a range of up to 165 kilometers and is equipped with a cluster warhead containing nearly 1,000 submunitions.
These missiles can be launched from M270 MLRS and M142 HIMARS launchers, which are already in service with Ukraine's Defense Forces.
