The United States Federal Government remains firm in its stance that no ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) missiles will be sent to support the war effort in Ukraine, despite pleas from officials in Kyiv, according to U.S. Government Officials.
Widespread speculation about the usage of such missiles in Ukraine appeared following President Biden’s equivocal stance on the war effort (cautiously supportive) and the fact that Ukraine’s war effort has begun to reach a stalemate: no meaningful gains in months.
Ukraine has stated the need for ATACMS missiles, with a range of 190 miles (305 kilometers) for long-range tactical strikes beyond Russian front lines in order to aid them in their current war effort.
“Without long-range weapons, it is difficult not only to carry out an offensive mission but also to conduct a defensive operation,” Ukrainian President Zelensky said at a July 7 news conference in Prague.
“My answer will be very simple. At this point, it’s very clear and understandable. We need and are waiting for decisions on ATACMS,” Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office stated on Thursday.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee passed a resolution last month stating the need to send Ukraine ATACMS missiles and proposing a gap in the defense budget in order to supply Ukraine with such weapons.
“There’s no reason to give Ukraine just enough to bleed but not enough to win,” Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Tex.) said. “If we’re going to be helping them, either go all in or get out.”
Initially, the Biden Administration expressed doubts about supplying Ukraine with long-range tactical missiles due to the threat by Moscow of escalation and the possibility of Ukraine utilizing such weapons to attack Russian soil. Such concerns have become less intense over time, due to Zelensky’s promise not to conduct such offensive attacks.
Only about 4000 ATACMS missiles have ever been manufactured, and many missiles have been used in wars and exported already. Approximately 900 missiles have been exported to nations around the world since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine War. The Pentagon believes Ukraine has more pressing needs in the war than ATACMS missiles and is hesitant about the possibility of sending them because of security issues regarding other armed conflicts worldwide such as in Taiwan or the Middle East. However, the US no longer natively uses ATACMS missiles for defense and offense purposes.
Officials have also expressed concerns about the need for Ukraine to receive ATACMS specifically after Britain and France have both supplied their own long-range missiles. However, these missiles fall 50 miles short of ATACMS range. Ukraine will also receive GLSDB missiles from the United States this fall or winter, with a range of 93 miles (150 kilometers) and a 360-degree strike capability.
The Pentagon has also stated that Ukraine’s biggest problem in the war effort was “not a hundred kilometers away” but “one kilometer in front of them with the minefields”, Colin Kahl, until early this month the Pentagon’s undersecretary for policy, said.
Widespread speculation about the usage of such missiles in Ukraine appeared following President Biden’s equivocal stance on the war effort (cautiously supportive) and the fact that Ukraine’s war effort has begun to reach a stalemate: no meaningful gains in months.
Ukraine has stated the need for ATACMS missiles, with a range of 190 miles (305 kilometers) for long-range tactical strikes beyond Russian front lines in order to aid them in their current war effort.
“Without long-range weapons, it is difficult not only to carry out an offensive mission but also to conduct a defensive operation,” Ukrainian President Zelensky said at a July 7 news conference in Prague.
“My answer will be very simple. At this point, it’s very clear and understandable. We need and are waiting for decisions on ATACMS,” Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office stated on Thursday.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee passed a resolution last month stating the need to send Ukraine ATACMS missiles and proposing a gap in the defense budget in order to supply Ukraine with such weapons.
“There’s no reason to give Ukraine just enough to bleed but not enough to win,” Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Tex.) said. “If we’re going to be helping them, either go all in or get out.”
Initially, the Biden Administration expressed doubts about supplying Ukraine with long-range tactical missiles due to the threat by Moscow of escalation and the possibility of Ukraine utilizing such weapons to attack Russian soil. Such concerns have become less intense over time, due to Zelensky’s promise not to conduct such offensive attacks.
Only about 4000 ATACMS missiles have ever been manufactured, and many missiles have been used in wars and exported already. Approximately 900 missiles have been exported to nations around the world since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine War. The Pentagon believes Ukraine has more pressing needs in the war than ATACMS missiles and is hesitant about the possibility of sending them because of security issues regarding other armed conflicts worldwide such as in Taiwan or the Middle East. However, the US no longer natively uses ATACMS missiles for defense and offense purposes.
Officials have also expressed concerns about the need for Ukraine to receive ATACMS specifically after Britain and France have both supplied their own long-range missiles. However, these missiles fall 50 miles short of ATACMS range. Ukraine will also receive GLSDB missiles from the United States this fall or winter, with a range of 93 miles (150 kilometers) and a 360-degree strike capability.
The Pentagon has also stated that Ukraine’s biggest problem in the war effort was “not a hundred kilometers away” but “one kilometer in front of them with the minefields”, Colin Kahl, until early this month the Pentagon’s undersecretary for policy, said.
