World

Escalation or Advantage? US Delivers Long-Range Missiles to Ukraine

BY SOFREP News Team

In a move that could significantly alter the course of the war, the US has delivered long-range, precision-strike missiles to Ukraine.

ATACMS missile (Image source: DVIDS)

In a potential game-changer for the war in Ukraine, the United States has delivered long-range, precision-strike missiles to the embattled nation.

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These Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), confirmed by the State Department on Wednesday (April 24), can hit targets up to 300 kilometers (190 miles) away, significantly extending Ukraine’s offensive capabilities.

Biden Administration Authorizes Long-Range Missiles

According to the State Department, the revered ATACMS arrived in Ukraine sometime this month and were part of a previously undisclosed March aid package.

“I can confirm that the United States provided Ukraine with long-range ATACMS at the president’s direct direction,” State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters.

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The decision to withhold the announcement initially stemmed from a desire to maintain “operational security for Ukraine at their request,” Patel added.

Upgraded Capability to Counter Russian Advancements

This extended-range variant marks a significant upgrade from the shorter-range ATACMS missiles delivered last year, which could only travel roughly 165 kilometers (103 miles).

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The longer-range missiles fulfill a long-standing request by Ukrainian officials seeking to counter Russian advancements and strike deeper behind enemy lines.

A quick recap: ATACMS is a long-range, surface-to-surface missile that packs a significant punch. Developed by Lockheed Martin, ATACMS has been in use continuously since 1991.

ATACMS comes in different variants, but the long-range version delivered to Ukraine boasts an impressive range of 300 kilometers (190 miles).

It carries a WDU18 warhead containing roughly 950 submunitions, which makes it effective against armored vehicles, personnel, and fortified positions.

Moreover, ATACMS utilizes a GPS-aided inertial navigation system for precise targeting, making it a valuable asset for long-distance strikes.

US Acknowledges Impact While Highlighting Continued Challenges

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan emphasized the impact these missiles will have on the battlefield while acknowledging the broader challenges.

“They will make a difference,” Sullivan said, “But as I’ve said before… there is no silver bullet.”

New $61 Billion Aid Package Bolsters Overall Support

The confirmation of the ATACMS delivery coincides with President Biden signing a new $61 billion aid package for Ukraine.

This additional funding paves the way for the Pentagon to unveil a further assistance package focused on supplying critically needed artillery and air defense weaponry.

The US delivery of ATACMS is not the only development on the long-range missile front.

Germany remains the holdout regarding supplying Ukraine with its even longer-range Taurus missiles, which boast a 500-kilometer (311-mile) reach.

While the US has stopped short of explicitly pressuring Germany, a senior US defense official anonymously expressed hope that the US decision, alongside similar actions by France and Britain, would encourage a shift in Germany’s stance.

Kyiv has ardently requested these missiles to bolster their defense, but Berlin worries about escalation if such powerful weaponry enters the conflict.

US-Russia Tensions Likely to Rise

The move by the US is likely to raise tensions with Russia, which has repeatedly warned against the West supplying advanced weaponry to Ukraine.

However, the Biden administration has stressed its commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.

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