US to provide ATACMS missiles to Ukraine
(Baonghean.vn) - The long-range missiles that Kiev has repeatedly requested are said to come with controversial cluster warheads.
US media on September 22 quoted many officials familiar with the situation as saying that Washington is expected to provide a small number of long-range ATACMS surface-to-surface missiles to Ukraine.
The commitment was made by US President Joe Biden during a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Vladimir Zelensky a day earlier. Unnamed officials speaking to NBC News did not disclose when the ATACMS package announcement would be made or when the missiles would actually be delivered to Ukraine, but only described the number of missiles to be delivered as “small.”
The ATACMS missiles, which have a range of more than 300 kilometers, are expected to further enhance Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities when delivered. Kiev has repeatedly requested that Washington provide them, and the Biden administration’s stance on the issue appears to have shifted in recent months from outright refusal to “considering” such a move.
It is unclear whether Washington will provide additional launchers to Kiev to fire ATACMS missiles. Without allocating additional launch vehicles, the missiles will likely be fired by HIMARS multiple rocket launchers and other similar systems previously provided to Kiev by Washington and other NATO allies.
The missiles are expected to carry a cluster warhead, which contains dozens of smaller bombs, a controversial type of munition, several sources told the Washington Post. The unnamed officials did not explain why this type of missile was chosen to supply Kiev. ATACMS missiles carrying cluster warheads are believed to be more readily available and plentiful in the US inventory.
Earlier this year, the US agreed to supply Kiev with NATO-standard 155mm cluster munitions, admitting it was a “temporary measure” to make up for a shortage of conventional ammunition.
The transfer has been heavily criticized, even by America’s closest allies, due to the controversial nature of such munitions. Cluster munitions have been banned by many countries around the world because of their high failure rates and the potential to contaminate battlefields with unexploded bombs that remain “live” and pose a threat to civilians for years.
