The UK has delivered multiple 'Storm Shadow' cruise missiles to Ukraine, giving the country a new long-range strike capability ahead of a long-awaited counter-offensive against Russian forces.
US officials have repeatedly stressed that they will continue to support Ukraine for "as long as necessary", and while tens of billions of dollars worth of equipment have been provided, the belligerent country has continued to ask for more to defeat the Russian military, including longer-range missiles such as the ATACMS .
Earlier, Derek Hogan, First Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, announced on May 23 that the US does not plan to supply Ukraine with ATACMS operational-tactical missile systems.
“When it comes to specific weapon systems like ATACMS, that's always taken into account. However, we are now providing the Ukrainians with what we believe they need right now," he said.
There seems to be an indication that since the UK has armed Ukraine with long-range Storm Shadow missiles, there is no need to send ATACMS to Kiev.
While the UK has already delivered long-range Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine, the Biden administration appears to be deviating from Britain's course by not providing Ukraine with long-range missiles.
The Storm Shadow, produced by MBDA Systems, is a long-range air attack missile primarily used by the armed forces of the United Kingdom and France under the name SCALP-EG.
It is designed to operate in different conditions, including day and night, and has deep strike capabilities with a firing range exceeding 250 kilometers (155 miles). Specifically, its range is about 30 miles shorter than ATACMS missiles.
However, the Ukrainian government has consistently desired the US Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).
They have already acquired American Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles and their corresponding HIMARS vehicles, capable of launching them, enabling them to hit targets up to 60 miles away.
In addition, the Ukrainians have recently acquired Small Diameter Bombs (SDB) with a range of 90 miles. However, the HIMARS vehicle is also ATACMS compatible, boasting an impressive range of approximately 190 miles.
ATACMS has the advantage of being a ballistic missile, which travels at high speeds, which makes it much more difficult to intercept.
These characteristics, combined with its extended range, make the ATACMS a highly sought-after weapon system by the Ukrainian government. As a result, the Ukrainians keep asking for ATACMS, without mentioning the Storm Shadow missile.
Ukraine's specific requirements and ATACMS' operational advantages and unique features explain why it is persistently pursuing its acquisition.
However, even after frequent requests from Kiev, the United States has shown no intention to transfer the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) to Ukraine.
According to the EurAsian Times , it has been revealed that the US subtly modified the HIMARS missile launchers it provided to Ukraine specifically to prevent it from firing long-range missiles towards Russia.
This adjustment clearly shows the US position, signaling its reluctance to supply Ukraine with such weaponry.
One possible reason for US reluctance is the limited availability of these missiles in the US arsenal. Gen. Mark Milley, explained that the US military has a relatively small number of ATACMS and must prioritize maintaining an adequate inventory for its operational needs.
However, the ATACMS Warhead is smaller than the Storm Shadow missile. The cost of the ATACMS missile will be much cheaper and Ukraine will be able to launch many more missiles.
Kiev wants a huge number of ATACMS like HIMARS, to destroy the Russian positions, which would not be possible with a limited number of Storm Shadow. The more missiles, the more likely they will evade Russian defenses and hit their positions.
