Ukraine purchases from Turkiye missile systems, missile stocks of various types for them, as well as artillery ammunition for self-propelled artillery systems available in Armed Forces service — such information was disclosed in U.S. State Department notice, published in American Congress work protocol for Thursday, August 6 this year.
Notice discusses approving sale to Ukraine of 12 M270 MLRS missile system units and 70 M39 ATACMS ballistic missiles for them and 2,524 unguided 227 mm M26 reactive shells with DPICM cluster warhead, as well as 47,000 cluster 203mm M509A1 artillery shells.
Read more: From Moscow to Siberia: Putin Is Avoiding European russia as Ukraine's Long-Range Drones Strike Deeper
As noted, supply will occur through Turkish, Bulgarian and American companies. Sale of missile systems, ammunition for them and shells for SPHs is conducted within Turkey's sell-off of stocks of obsolete weapons and military equipment samples. Transfer process may begin already this year.
Regarding M270 MLRS launchers, it turns out Ankara sells Ukraine all remaining stocks of these missile systems available in service — probability of strengthening Armed Forces specifically with Turkish vehicles was discussed back in 2022, when Kyiv was only receiving these systems in service together with HIMARS, but then such scenario was considered unlikely.
Separately worth dwelling on ammunition Ukraine will receive for these systems. These are M39 ballistic missiles (ATACMS Block I, MGM-140A) — first version of missiles of this family. Has range of 165 km and cluster warhead armed with 950 M74 submunitions. This ATACMS version was already used by Ukraine's Defense Forces.
Although discussion involves range of 165 km, not 300 km as in newer ATACMS versions, for this missile one can still find quite a few potential targets both on temporarily occupied Ukraine territories and on russia territory. Considering, naturally, that only 70 missiles is quite limited stock.
Regarding 227mm M26 shells, their maximum range is 32 km. Quantity of 2,524 units will enable making approximately 420 full salvos from HIMARS missile system or 210 full salvos from M270 MLRS.
M509A1 shells will become excellent replenishment for 203mm self-propelled artillery systems in Armed Forces service – both Soviet 2S7 Pion and M110, of which Ukraine may have dozens of units – earlier this year Defense Express reported that Ukraine received even more 203mm M110A2 SPHs and other howitzers than expected.
Read more: Ukrainian Drones Strike Two Major russian Oil Refineries
