Ukraine buys 70 ATACMS missiles, other US weapons from Turkey in major defense package
The package includes 70 M39 ATACMS missiles, 12 M270 multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS), over 2,000 cluster munitions, and 47,000 howitzer rounds, according to a notice from the U.S. State Department.
The United States has sold a major defense package to Turkey, which includes 70 ATACMS missiles and over 2,000 cluster munitions, as part of a significant arms deal reported by U.S. congressional records. The deal, set to commence in late August, also encompasses 12 M270 MLRS systems, 47,000 howitzer rounds, and originates from Turkey's defense firms MKE, ASFAT, and ARCA Savunma.
ATACMS, produced by U.S. manufacturer Lockheed Martin, are long-range surface-to-surface ballistic missiles with a range of approximately 165 kilometers for the M39 model included in the package. The transfer will be handled by several private companies, including Turkey's MKE, ASFAT, and ARCA Savunma, Bulgaria's VTIC International, and U.S. firms Pansophico and Patriot Defense Group.
Turkey aims to downsize its older defense inventory to bolster modernization efforts, while Ukraine seeks to enhance its offensive and defense capabilities against the Russian invasion. The transfer aligns with U.S. security assistance goals and falls within the permissible cost threshold under the U.S. Arms Export Control Act, provided Congress does not enact a ban on re-exporting the weapons within two weeks.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written; read the original for the full account.
