From ATACMS to Storm Shadow: how Ukraine is boosting its long-range strike power

Military expert Oleksandr Kovalenko stated this, Obozrevatel reports.

Ukraine has already used ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles in strikes against Russia, including targeting military facilities in the Bryansk and Kursk regions. However, these are not the only missiles Ukraine can employ.

President Zelenskyy has outlined a goal for Ukraine to produce 3,000 cruise missiles by 2025, but in the meantime, Western long-range missiles will play a crucial role. Currently, Ukraine has received ATACMS in two versions: M39 (Block I) and M39A1 (Block IA). The M39 has a range of up to 165 km and a cluster warhead, while the M39A1 extends the range to 300 km with GPS guidance, targeting key infrastructure like airfields and military sites.

Additionally, Ukraine may receive more advanced versions, such as the M57, with a 300 km range and a bunker-busting warhead, as well as the M57E1, designed for area effect targeting with a blast fragmentation warhead. These variants could enhance Ukraine's ability to strike Russian command centers and fortified bunkers.

Storm Shadow and its French counterpart, Scalp EG, are also in use, with a range of 300 km and specialized for penetrating bunkers. Ukraine may also soon receive AGM-158 JASSM and AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapons for its F-16s. The JASSM is a stealthy air-launched missile with a 300 km range and a 450 kg warhead, while the AGM-154 is a guided bomb with a range up to 300 km, capable of carrying cluster munitions or penetrating warheads.

Taurus missiles, similar to Storm Shadow, are also under consideration but face political and technical hurdles. These missiles offer longer ranges and greater bunker-busting potential. However, Ukraine would need compatible aircraft, like modernized F-16s or Saab Gripen jets, to launch them.

Another potential option is the South Korean Hyunmoo missile system, which has various models with ranges from 180 km to 800 km. While this system is not yet on the table, its inclusion would significantly expand Ukraine's strike capabilities.

In summary, Ukraine’s missile arsenal is growing with Western support, including ATACMS, Storm Shadow, and potentially more advanced systems. These missiles are key to striking Russia's military infrastructure and weakening its war-making capacity. The challenge lies in expanding missile supplies while developing domestic production.