The United States will soon have “a lot” of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to refill its stockpiles, allowing Washington, D.C., to provide Ukraine with key long-range capabilities without compromising U.S. arsenals, according to the U.S. Army’s acquisition boss.
A “significant number” of ATACMS ordered years ago are now “hitting at just the right time to be able to support how we’re supporting Ukraine without taking a hit to readiness,” according to Doug Bush, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology. These missiles bolster long-range strike abilities and supplement Ukraine’s arsenal, which includes other long-range weapons like the British Storm Shadow and French SCALP air-launched cruise missiles.
Ukrainian forces debuted their use of ATACMS in October 2023, effectively striking Russian military bases within Ukraine and causing substantial damage to equipment such as helicopters. The White House, as Jake Sullivan, the National Security Adviser, revealed, secretly authorized the delivery of a “significant number of ATACMS missiles” to Ukraine in February. This clandestine aid was part of a larger $300 million package announced in mid-March.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan said last month that President Joe Biden had secretly authorized a “significant number of ATACMS missiles” to Ukraine in February.
Given the sensitive nature of these shipments and the potential for escalation, the U.S. has been cautious with public announcements regarding the delivery of ATACMS. Operational security, as emphasized by U.S. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel, remains a priority. Consequently, the Biden administration has worked “behind the scenes” to address readiness concerns, ensuring that the influx of new ATACMS into U.S. stocks does not undermine the country’s own defense posture.
On the battlefield, ATACMS provide Ukrainian troops with the capacity to target high-value Russian assets far beyond the front lines. These capabilities are particularly pertinent as Russia continues to make strategic gains in eastern Ukraine and solidifies its hold over territories it has annexed, including Crimea. Notably, U.S. officials have confirmed that longer-range versions of ATACMS were quietly sent to Ukraine and used to strike Russian-controlled Crimea in mid-April.It was reported in mid-February that the United States was inclined to provide Kyiv with extended-range ATACMS missiles, potentially facilitating strikes on the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula. Crimea was annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014.
Relevant articles:
– US About to Build a Whole Lot More ATACMS , Newsweek, 05/06/2024
– Ukraine Bets On Reaper-ATACMS Pairing To Push Back Russian Military; Will US Approve MQ-9 Sale To Kyiv?, EurAsian Times, 05/05/2024
– Russia says it shot down four U.S.-made long range missiles over Crimea, The Economic Times, 05/04/2024
– Russian officials say Ukraine attacked Crimea with U.S.-made ATACMS missiles, Yahoo News Canada, 05/03/2024
– Top US intelligence official testifies war in Ukraine ‘unlikely to end anytime soon’, Washington Examiner, 05/03/2024