Home Americas

Ukraine Wants ATACMS Over STORM SHADOW! Why Has Kyiv Been Prompting For US Missiles Over British ALCMs?

The US recently awarded BAE Systems a three-year contract for research and development efforts in advancing precision-guided munitions (PGM) to assist the US Army’s long-range, precision fire mission.  

MUST READ: Russia’s 20,000 Defense Workers “Missing In Action”; Its Capability To Produce Cutting-Edge Weapons Exhausted

“We have invested heavily to innovate and develop a highly maneuverable long-range fires capability that will support Soldiers on the battlefield by providing lethality against high-value targets,” said Brent Butcher, vice president of Weapon Systems at BAE Systems.

“We look forward to partnering with DEVCOM AC to continue to advance precision-guided munitions and find the best long-range precision fires solution for the US Army.”

For nearly a decade, BAE Systems has been investing in developing ultra-long-range and hypervelocity munitions. Under this contract, BAE Systems will team with DEVCOM AC to continue to advance the capabilities of precision cannon munitions to defeat fixed and moving targets in GPS-degraded or denied environments at double the range of existing cannon-launched PGMs.

NO ATACMS For Ukraine

Earlier, Derek Hogan, First Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, announced, on May 23, that the US has no plans to supply Ukraine with ATACMS operational-tactical missile systems.

During a hearing in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the US Congress, Hogan reportedly addressed the issue of providing military assistance to Kyiv.

Hogan emphasized that while considering specific weapons systems such as ATACMS is always a factor, the current focus is on supplying Ukraine with what is deemed necessary in the present circumstances.

He stated, “When it comes to specific weapons systems like ATACMS, this is always considered. However, now we are providing the Ukrainians with what we think they need at the moment.”

These remarks shed light on Washington’s approach to supporting Ukraine militarily and highlight the deliberations involved in determining the aid to be extended.




ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) missile system. (US Department of Defense)

There appears to be an indication that since the UK has armed Ukraine with long-range Storm Shadow missiles, there is no need for sending ATACMS to Kyiv.

US Hesitant To Provide ATACMS To Ukraine

While the United Kingdom has already delivered the Storm Shadow long-range missiles to Ukraine, the Biden administration appears to diverge from Britain’s course by not providing Ukraine with long-range missiles.

Storm Shadow, produced by MBDA Systems, is a long-range air-launched attack missile primarily utilized by the UK and French armed forces under the name of SCALP-EG. 

It is designed to operate in diverse conditions, including day and night, and possesses deep-strike capabilities with a firing range exceeding 250 kilometers (155 miles). Notably, its range falls approximately 30 miles short of ATACMS missiles.

However, the Ukrainian government has consistently desired the US-made Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).

They have already acquired the American Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles and the corresponding HIMARS vehicles capable of launching them, enabling them to strike targets up to 60 miles away. 

Read More

Exit mobile version