Ukraine may receive GMLRS precision-guided projectiles and ATACMS ballistic missiles with cluster warheads - White House close to approving deliveries

The administration of US President Joe Biden is close to approving the delivery of long-range ATACMS missiles and/or precision-guided cluster munitions to Ukraine. This was reported by Reuters, citing four US officials.

Here's What We Know

In recent months, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been actively and effectively using U.S. 155mm cluster munitions for barrel artillery. In this regard, the White House is thinking about the supply of more effective weapons.

In particular, we are talking about tactical ballistic missiles ATACMS and high-precision projectiles GMLRS with a cluster warhead. Conventional versions of these weapons have a maximum launch range of approximately 300 kilometres and 80 kilometres respectively.

Reuters does not specify the types of GMLRS and ATACMS that can be delivered to Ukraine. However, it is known that Lockheed Martin has in its arsenal unguided rockets of 227 mm calibre GMLRS M26 with a cluster warhead.

It has 644 M77 shaped-charge warheads. At the same time, the launch range is 45 kilometres, which is almost two times shorter compared to the M30 rockets currently used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

In terms of ATACMS, the Block I and Block IA versions are equipped with a cluster warhead. The former has a 570kg warhead with 950 M74 warheads and a range of 165km. The second version can hit targets at a range of about 300 kilometres, but the 150 kilometre warhead contains three times fewer submunitions.

Source: Reuters