The United States has hinted it could send long range ATACMS with a range of almost 200 miles to Ukraine by the end of this week, threatening a major escalation of tensions between Washington and Moscow.
Kyiv received its first batch of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATMS) last autumn, around 20 M39s.
It was supplied with more missiles in March – some estimates say eight – after the White House was able to find US$300 million from savings despite the political impasse in Congress over military aid for Ukraine at the time.
The ATACMS have a range of between 100 and 200 miles. So far Ukraine has received the older versions with a shorter range due to White House fears of escalation with Russia.
A senior Democrat has now hinted that the US could send Ukraine the newer and longer range missiles as part of the new military aid package that was finally approved by Congress on Saturday.
In an interview with CBS News last night, Senator Mark Warner was asked whether Kyiv’s army could expect deliveries of long range artillery.
After replying “yes”, he was asked in a follow up whether it would be just ammunition or something more.
The US politician answered: “The ATACMS- I believe the administration was prepared over the last couple of months to prepare or to provide ATACMS.
“It is written into this legislation.”
In late February, NBC News reported that the White House is ready to supply Kyiv with longer-range ATACMS missile variants if Congress approves a new funding package.
After months of political deadlock on the Hill, the House of Representatives eventually gave the green light to a US$61 billion aid package, that now awaits ratification from the Senate.
The bill passed by 311 to 112, with all Democrats and 101 Republicans voting in favour. Astonishingly a majority of Republicans – 112 – voted against the aid package.
ATACMS have a fearsome reputation and have long been seen by defence experts as a potential “game changer” in the war.
Whereas Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles are long-range, air-to-air cruise missiles – ATACMS are surface-to-surface systems with some ability to manoeuvre during flight.
The US missiles can hit targets 155 miles away in just five minutes, in comparison to the 15 minutes needed by the British and French rockets.
They have the ability to wreak havoc deep into the Russian rear, and would force Putin’s generals to relocate reserve troops and ammunition supplies ever further way from the frontlines.
ATACMS are believed to have been used in the recent attack on the Dzhankoy airfield in Crimea, which destroyed at least four launchers belonging to an S-400 missile battery.
