‘It won’t change the situation’: American media have reported that Biden has agreed to send ATACMS to Ukraine

Several American media outlets, citing sources, have reported that U.S. President Joe Biden has agreed to send ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) missiles to Ukraine.

Officially, the White House has not confirmed these press reports. U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken responded vaguely, saying, “We have been in constant discussions with Ukraine from the very beginning, trying to provide them with what they need. The process is ongoing.”

Ukraine has been requesting these missiles since last fall, particularly before their counteroffensive. However, Washington had previously refused to provide them.

It appears that the U.S. has now relented, possibly pressuring Berlin in the process. Germany had been ignoring President Zelensky’s demands to supply Taurus air-to-surface missiles, somewhat resembling the situation with Western tanks. Back then, the West German government hesitated to supply “Leopards” until approval was given from overseas for “Abrams” tanks.

Unlike the German equipment, ATACMS is a solid-fueled ground-to-ground missile with a range of up to 300 kilometers. There are several variations of these munitions.

These missiles are launched from MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) units, such as the M142 HIMARS or M270 MLRS, which can carry one or two missiles, respectively. The cost of a salvo can reach up to 1.7 million dollars.

Kyiv intends to use ATACMS against command posts. However, there is a caveat. As reported by The Washington Post, the U.S. will supply versions with cassette payloads. This means MGM-140A or MGM-140B missiles, loaded with M74 submunitions. The dispersion of shrapnel can reach up to 450 meters.

Nevertheless, as American experts note, such variants are not effective against armored vehicles or fortified structures. In general, cassette munitions, as demonstrated in the events in the Zaporizhia region, did not prove decisive in the Russian defense.

The closest NATO counterpart to ATACMS from the alliance’s arsenals is the British Storm Shadow missile. However, these missiles must be launched from aircraft. Currently, Russia has the upper hand in the air, and the ongoing conflict features a high density of air defense systems.

In this context, the ground-based American missile has an advantage, which is why the Ukrainian Armed Forces have high hopes for these deliveries.

The quantity of missiles to be provided remains uncertain. American media reports suggest only a few units will be transferred. Even in Kyiv, it is acknowledged that this will not significantly change the situation.