ATACMS missiles go to Ukraine: the Russian army will be left without reserves in the occupied territories
This was reported by the US media with reference to their own sources in Congress. It is a small number, and the date of their transfer is not yet called. However, the White House was officially reported that there was no confirmation of this decision at this time. "President Joe Biden has said several times that the transmission of ATASMS is possible in the future. However, I have no new information to announce a breakthrough in this matter," said a spokesman for US President Karin Jean Jery.
In turn, the former commander of the US Army in Europe, General Ben Gogess said that ATASMS for Ukraine will probably be a smaller radius of action and only have a cassette ammunition. In his view, these weapons will not have considerable efficiency for destroying goals in temporarily occupied Crimea. "Baiden's administration seems to be afraid of providing long -distance high -distances that Ukraine can use against the goals within Russia.
The United Kingdom and France were happy that Ukraine did not use Storm Shadow and Scalp missiles provided by it," Goges said. According to the observers, such uncertainty and confusion can be caused by the desire to keep everything secret until the last. A similar situation with a small amount, because this concept is relative - can be a dozen, and maybe several hundred. For example, 32 rockets were used during a military operation in Iraq in the desert (January-February 1991).
During the war in Iraq, 2003-2011, their number reached more than 450 units. However, even a hundred units will have a significant impact on the course of hostilities and the potential of the enemy. Yes, the director of the information and consulting company Defense Express Sergey Zgurets believes that the main thing is the issue of first delivery, and then it will only be increased. According to him, 4,000 ATCMS was made in the US, some of them on cassette equipment.
It will not be superfluous that the shelf life of such missiles is ten years, then they have to be sent for the estimated extension of the service life. In particular, the main components, electronics, impressive elements and solid fuel engines are replaced. Therefore, the transfer of ATACMS to Ukraine can be considered as an opportunity for the Pentagon to resolve the issue of storage and their extension.
ATCMS is an operative-tactical rocket complex with high accuracy and range ballistic missile. Their production began in 1988, and within three years it was commissioned. As of today, seven rocket modifications have been developed, which can be carried as a fugas and cassette charge and affecting targets at a distance of 165 to 300 kilometers. The declared accuracy of the hit is from 10 meters - for modifications from 2003 to 250 meters - for older versions.
The first baptism of ATACMS complexes took place during the Iraq war. The launching platform is well known M270 MLRS and M142 Himars. According to open sources, the cost of one atacMS missile of the last generation is more than $ 1. 4 million. The military analyst Petro Chernik notes the focus that it is difficult to talk about something now, because we do not know when we will give us atacms and what will be the equipment. There may be two options - coague or cassette.
When it comes to fugas, their best use will be in the destruction of headquarters and protected command points. A striking example of this application is the destruction of the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol. "In the case of cassette combat part-will be the use of the enemy's equipment and live power. In any case, the spectrum of their use is wide-warehouses It is better that the enemy does not have time to bring the ammunition.
The war still continues to remain 95 percent of the artillery war, "the expert says. At the same time, Chernik notes that no one in the public space will name potential goals for ATACMS, because it will be a great service of the enemy in the transfer of intelligence. Military-political observer Alexander Kovalenko notes that we have not officially heard about the transfer of ATACMS either from the white house, from the State Department, or from the Pentagon.
Only the US media with reference to their sources speak about it. From what they write, it turns out that it is a cassette ATACMS. There are two such types of ATCMS M39 and ATCMS M39A1. "About the ATACMS M39, it is a rocket containing 950 M74 subbov and can reach a distances of 160 km. In my opinion, their use is most appropriate in hostile aerodrome and disable the aircraft. It will be a true horror for Russian airfields, repair bases, places of concentration of equipment and hostile power.
If we talk about ATACMS M39A1, it has only 300 sub -fee, but therefore has an enlarged fuel tank, so it can reach 300 km, "says Focus Kovalenko. Ukraine's defense forces already have high -precision Storm Shadow and Scalp missiles in their arsenal. Their successful application has already been officially confirmed. The transmission of ATACMS must open the supply of long -range Taurus high -precision missiles from Germany.
This is the statement that was made by the Minister of Defense of the country Boris Pistorius. Taurus missiles have an operating range of more than 500 km, which in theory will allow them to impress the so -called Crimean bridge. However, it is worth recalling some difficulties, because Taurus, unlike ATCMS, has an aviation platform, so the issue of their carriers remains open.
"Taurus missiles are best suited for Saab Jas 39 Gripen fighters, but I think our experts know how to integrate them into an existing aviation park. For example, Storm Shadow was able as with the tanks. When, at first, the United Kingdom gave us Challenger, the USA - Abrams, and Germany, in turn, Leopard 2. Currently, the United Kingdom is already providing Storm Shadow, we are waiting for Atacms and Taurus, "Kovalenko suggests.
Military expert Oleg Zhdanov says that if Ukraine receives ATACMS, the command will choose the best way to use them. "Remember what was when we received cassette ammunition up to 155 mm caliber. There was a complete destruction The enemy, "he explains the focus. Zhdanov notes that the most promising areas of use of ATACMS are Bakhmut and Melitopol directions. If we talk about the Kherson direction, we will be able to completely block the provision of the Russian group in the Tokmak area.