July 12, 2023
Officials from the U.S. and Europe say the Biden administration is debating whether to arm Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles, the New York Times reports.
The Army Tactical Missile Systems, known as “attack ’ems,” are surfact-to-surface guided cruise missiles with a range of over 300 kilometers.
President Zelensky has petitioned the Biden administration for the weapons in the past, describing the missiles as vital to defeat “Russian terror.” The U.S. has refused to provide ATACMS, arguing that missiles that can reach Russia or occupied Crimea would represent a dangerous escalation in the ongoing war.
However, at the NATO summit in Vilnius on July 11, France pledged to supply Ukraine with long-range SCALP missiles, which can travel 250 kilometers. The French weapons system is equivalent to the British Storm Shadow, which the U.K. delivered to Ukraine in May 2023.”
In light of the situation and the counteroffensive being conducted in Ukraine, I have decided to increase deliveries of weapons and equipment and to provide the Ukrainians with deep-strike capabilities,” French President Emmanuel Macron announced in Vilnius.
Now, the U.S. is also considering following suit, officials told the New York Times. Sending ATACMS, which have an even longer range than SCALP missiles, could tip the scales for Ukrainian forces as they wage a grueling counteroffensive in Russian-controlled territory.
U.S. defense officials warn that their ATACMS arsenal is relatively low, and that sending the weapons to Ukraine could jeopardize U.S. security interests in other areas of the world.
The Biden administration has reversed its stance on weapons donations to Ukraine before. Last week, the U.S. agreed to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions after previously refusing.
As production of ammunitions for Ukrainian defense stalls, ATACMS and other long-range weapons systems represent a way for Ukrainian forces to advance in regions where occupying Russian forces hold strong defensive positions.
“…at the NATO summit in Vilnius on July 11, France pledged to supply Ukraine with long-range SCALP missiles, which can travel 250 kilometers. The French weapons system is equivalent to the British Storm Shadow, which the U.K. delivered to Ukraine in May 2023.”
Biden is weighing again. While others – even France – are taking the lead. Incidentally, while it was the UK that got the ball rolling for long-range weapons, it was France that got the ball rolling for tanks. Joe, just do it! The war lasted long enough. Hand over whatever Ukraine is asking for and help end this horror asap!
It was actually the UK that got the ball rolling for MBT’s also; 28 Challenger 2’s sent so far. France have yet to send even one; even though they have Leopards and Leclercs.
Macron is a cheap bastard. Considering the size of his economy, he has sent in monetary terms the amount one might expect from Estonia.
Well, the French sent the wheeled tanks AMX-10, and this was the catalyst for sending real tanks.
A replacement for ATACMS is already in the works. The production of that system needs to have bolstered backing for expansion and accelerated timetables to be ready to replace them. Yes Ukraine needs ATACMS, and yes the U.S. should provide them immediately.
‘surfact-to-surface’? Is that the only-facts-please version? 🤣
Pardon my fat fingers, Mikey! Not fatty fingers, but fat fingers. Fat fingers that enjoy tipping two or more keys instead of one! 😆😱🙈
🙂
It was a typo from the original article. Blame the Kyiv Post for that one lol. Hmmm I wonder if they need an editor?
My tired eyes correction Kyiv Independent not Kyiv Post. Guess I flunked for editor.🤣
On the contrary, I just sent you an invite to change your new password. You are now an Editor here, thank you Sir Bill, slava Ukraini~!
Thanks Sir RSM, and Heroyam Slava ~!
Biden grandstanded with a bold promise that Ukraine would get Israel-style security support in lieu of Nato membership, but now he still “weighs” on delivering ATACMS? How can that be? If this was for the IDF, an urgent weapons package would already be on board of C-5 Galaxys and on the way! So, if Biden is serious about keeping his word, he has to deliver all the goodies now. Not only ATACMS, but also Tomahawks, F-16s, AH-64s, AMRAAMs, Mavericks, Hellfires and everything else that’s in the IDFs arsenals, too. The faster the delivery, the sooner this war will end, with Putin’s defeat and a Russian retreat back to their own territory!