The United States plans to deliver large-scale long-range strike equipment to Ukraine, reshaping Kyiv’s deep-operations capabilities
Recently, the U.S. Department of State released new military aid documents confirming that Washington intends to mass-transfer long-range rocket artillery systems, tactical ballistic missiles, and a substantial quantity of cluster munitions to Ukraine. The two batches of assistance collectively exceed $280 million in value. This significant and highly targeted military aid package will substantially enhance Ukraine’s deep-strike firepower capabilities.
According to the public inventory, the U.S. will permanently transfer 12 M270 heavy multiple launch rocket systems (HMLRS) to Ukraine, along with a large volume of standard ammunition. This includes 2,524 dual-purpose DPICM cluster rocket munitions and 47,000 M509A1 203mm cluster howitzer shells—valued at approximately $255.9 million. In addition, the U.S. will provide 70 M39 ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles separately, worth about $28 million, forming a complete long-range firepower configuration.
Notably, this military aid is not being delivered through traditional official defense transfer channels. Instead, it is being coordinated via a multinational network of private defense firms—including Turkey’s MKE, ASFAT, ARCA Savunma; Bulgaria’s VTIC International; and several U.S.-based defense conglomerates. This cross-border privatized delivery model helps circumvent U.S. congressional approval constraints, accelerates equipment turnover, and further solidifies the strategic roles of countries like Turkey and Bulgaria within Ukraine’s defense supply chain. However, the involvement of multiple private entities also increases complexity in subsequent logistics coordination, parts compatibility, and long-term maintenance.
The U.S. Department of State stated that this weapons transfer has undergone comprehensive evaluation, taking into account political, military, economic, human rights, and arms control factors. It aligns with the U.S. strategic objectives for security assistance to Ukraine, and the administration is prepared to formally approve this aid package.
From a performance standpoint, the delivered M39 (Block I) ATACMS missile, produced by Lockheed Martin, is a ground-to-ground tactical ballistic missile with a maximum range of up to 165 kilometers. It carries a cluster warhead containing nearly a thousand submunitions per missile, primarily designed to target enemy troop concentrations, logistical hubs, and field fortifications. The missile is compatible with Ukraine’s existing M270 and HIMARS M142 launch systems, enabling rapid integration into current operational frameworks. Compared to Ukraine’s commonly used HIMARS system, the heavier M270 rocket launcher offers greater payload capacity and higher fire density, capable of launching multiple tactical missiles simultaneously—significantly enhancing saturation strike capability.
In terms of munition configuration, this aid is predominantly focused on large-scale cluster munitions. These weapons offer broad-area coverage and strong suppression effects but carry the risk of unexploded ordnance remaining after use, a factor that has long drawn criticism from international human rights organizations. This is precisely why the U.S. explicitly references human rights and arms control assessments in its official documentation.
An analysis from the battlefield perspective reveals that the 70 ATACMS missiles represent a moderate-scale replenishment of long-range munitions, effectively strengthening Ukraine’s deep-strike capabilities. However, their limited stockpile cannot sustain high-intensity, continuous deep operations. The addition of 12 M270 rocket systems will expand Ukraine’s long-range fire units, complementing existing HIMARS systems through a tiered, synergistic operational structure. Nevertheless, fully achieving combat readiness with these new systems will take time, as challenges such as personnel training, spare parts supply, and site adaptation will constrain their short-term battlefield effectiveness.
Overall, this new round of U.S. long-range weapon assistance will temporarily address Ukraine’s deep-firepower gaps and optimize the structure of its long-range strike capabilities, directly influencing the dynamics of battlefield offense and defense. Yet, under constraints of limited stockpiles, mounting logistical pressures, an increasingly complex supply chain, and the still-developing domestic defense industry, Ukraine remains unable to establish a fully self-reliant long-range combat system. Consequently, it will continue to depend heavily on Western military aid to maintain advanced combat power in the foreseeable future.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1873008307237898/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.