Selenski’s begging for missiles has paid off: the US is considering supplying ATACMS to Ukraine

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy (45) repeatedly demanded ATACMS from the US. Although US President Joe Biden (80) promised Ukraine aid packages worth more than $40 billion, requests for the US missile system were always rejected. Until now.

Apparently, Biden is reassessing the situation after the recent events in Russia. A senior official told WSJ that Kiev has received positive signals in recent weeks that the US has made a move to the ATACMS system. But why is Kiev so fond of US missiles?

The ATACMS is an American short-range ballistic missile – albeit with a longer range. The abbreviation stands for Army Tactical Missile System. While it’s not quite a long-range missile, it is a longer-range missile. The MGM-140 ATACMS can reach targets 300 kilometers away – as far as the British Storm Shadows sent to Ukraine. It is more accurate and easier to control than other missiles.

MGM-140 ATACMS more difficult to intercept

The MGM-140 is four meters long and has a diameter of 61 centimeters. With a weight of more than 1600 kilograms, it is a real colossus. And thanks to the most accurate GPS, it won’t miss its target.

For the battlefield, ATACMS deliveries to Ukraine would be a real game changer. Unlike cruise missiles, ballistic missile systems are launched from the ground at an altitude of 50 kilometers and can therefore fly very far. In the form of a parabola, the missile hits the target with bombastic force.

Would reach Crimea

Another important advantage: ATACMS can be launched from Himars missile launchers – and they are already available in large quantities in Ukraine. It would be more difficult for the Russians to predict the trajectory of the MGM-140 and thus intercept the missile.

The MGM-140 ATACMS throws bombs, that is, multiple bombs with cluster munitions. This means that an area of ​​33,000 square kilometers can be achieved. Purely theoretical enough to attack all of Crimea and the Crimean Bridge. For comparison, Crimea has a total area of ​​27,000 square kilometers. But not only that, Ukraine’s counter-offensive would be better supported militarily from Kiev.

If Ukraine gets the ATACMS, it can fight enemy missiles, destroy tactical missile launchers, knock out air defenses, fight communications complexes and disrupt logistics.

The US could seize the moment

When the UK announced Storm Shadow deliveries in May, there was speculation that the US would follow suit. But Biden held back. ATACMS have the great advantage of being smaller and easier to transport than Storm Shadows.

The delivery has a high price. According to the trade magazine “militray-today”, a single cartridge costs 820,000 dollars (737,000 francs). But Biden is hesitant about the deliveries not for that reason, but because he fears ATACMS deliveries in the Kremlin could be interpreted as a provocation. But now may be the right time as Russia grapples with domestic unrest.

One thing is clear: if Kiev receives the ATACMS, Ukraine will have more opportunities to evade Russian attacks and destroy positions. So far, neither the White House nor the Pentagon have responded to a request from the WSJ.

Source: Blick