The priority for the United States is the transfer of GMLRS missiles to Ukraine, not ATACMS, the Pentagon said. The US Department of Defense notes that the Armed Forces have already used hundreds of GMLRS with “incredible effect on the battlefield.”
The Pentagon believes that the Armed Forces of Ukraine do not need ATACMS operational-tactical ballistic missiles.
The United States is focused on increasing the supply of GMLRS family of guided missiles with a range of up to 84 km, US Deputy Secretary of Defense for Political Affairs Colin Kahl said during a briefing on August 24.
He said that the US Department of Defense is consulting with Kyiv on the current needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces at the front.
According to our assessment, the GMLRS are the most suitable ammunition for the current situation on the front. So, we’ve made it a priority for the Ukrainians to get the GMLRS, which they need not only to keep the Russians in the east, but also to build some momentum in other parts of the country, Kahl said.
A senior Pentagon official noted that the US is focusing on securing GMLRS through military aid packages.
We have provided a constant stream of GMLRS in almost every help package – hundreds and hundreds at a time. According to our estimates, Ukrainian GMLRS reserves are now quite good. And we’re going to keep providing them, Kahl said.
In addition, he said that the issue of fighter jets for Ukraine is being discussed, but the transfer will take years.
He stressed that the issue of a possible transfer of fighter jets to Ukraine remains on the negotiating table, but no final decisions have been made on this matter.
The ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) missile system is designed to engage point targets, such as command posts, missile launchers, air defense facilities, communication centers, trains located in the depths of enemy defenses.
The M270 and M142 launchers are used to launch the missile. The complex has an MGM-140B missile, which is an operational-tactical missile with a maximum flight range of up to 300 km.
GMLRS is a family of American guided missiles of 227 mm caliber. These munitions are classified as precision-guided and are used for the HIMARS and M270 systems.
Source: Racurs
