Ukraine needs ATACMS cluster missiles, if US still has them – military expert Katkov

Oleh Katkov, editor-in-chief of Defense Express, told Espreso.

"To be honest, Ukraine is most interested in ATACMS cluster missiles. This is a unique answer to the question of what to do with Russia's advanced helicopter landing sites and air bases. Large concentrations of targets that are difficult to hit with Storm Shadow, SCALP or other cruise missiles. Because each target requires one missile, and the ATACMS cluster missile can do the job for a significant number of missiles," he said.

Katkov added that several cluster missiles are needed for a typical target such as a standard airfield.

"The question here is whether the US Army has any ATACMS cluster missiles left in service. They have a service life of 10 years and were produced until 2003. Then they were taken out of production. Whether they have been repaired is a question. In my opinion, it would have been more effective," the expert concluded.

What is known about the shipment of ATACMS to Ukraine

On April 19, the United States announced another USD 325 million military aid package to Ukraine, which included HIMARS and artillery shells.

At the end of May, representatives of the US Congress called on Biden to send the missiles to Ukraine. In a letter addressed to the US President, the leaders of the bipartisan Helsinki Commission called on the White House to authorize the delivery of the US Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) to Ukraine.

On June 10, members of both parties in the US House of Representatives introduced a resolution calling on Joe Biden to send ATACMS to Ukraine.

On June 21, the House Foreign Affairs Committee supported a resolution to Biden calling for the immediate delivery of ATACMS to Ukraine.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the United States is close to making a decision to provide Ukraine with long-range tactical missile systems ATACMS.

The WP reported that the US does not have enough ATACMS missiles to provide them to Ukraine.