After the release of the billion-dollar aid package, US President Biden announced further deliveries; ATACMS missiles are already in use. But: The situation at the front is difficult.04/25/2024 | 1:37 minThe USA has confirmed the delivery of ATACMS missiles to Ukraine. What is known about the weapon, what makes it different from Taurus – and why it is important for Kiev.
What is ATACMS?
The Army Tactical Missile System – abbreviated ATACMS – is a short-range missile with a range of up to 300 kilometers. It is equipped with cluster munitions that open in the air when fired and release hundreds of so-called bomblets instead of a large single warhead. ATACMS are fired from the ground to targets on the ground and are intended to hit particularly precisely. Newer models can be steered, older ones cannot.
After the USA gave its approval for aid to Ukraine, the country wants to immediately deliver weapons. ZDF reporter Luc Walpot reports what this means for the war. April 25, 2024 | 1:04 minManufacturer Lockheed Martin describes this Advantages of the weapon on his website as follows: “The Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is a conventional surface-to-surface artillery weapon system capable of engaging targets well beyond the range of the Army’s existing cannons, rockets and other missiles.”
ATACMS missiles are fired from the HIMARS and MLRS M270 platforms.
Lockheed Martin via ATACMS
What is the difference from the previous ATACMS delivery?
The USA delivered ATACMS missiles to Ukraine for the first time last year – at that time they still had a range of 165 kilometers. Delivery from the USA followed after initial hesitation. The reason for this was the concern that targets in Russia could also be attacked. Kiev repeatedly reiterates that it does not want to do that.
Why do Ukrainians want ATACMS?
The Ukrainian side hopes that the longer-range ATACMS missiles will allow it to strike Russian targets throughout the depth of occupied Ukrainian territory, including Crimea. Kiev is relying on the weapon in order to be able to hit military and logistical targets in the rear of the front and thus disrupt the supply of Russian occupation troops, especially in the south. The fighting in Ukraine continues unabated. There is heavy fighting, especially in Avdiivka. On ZDFheute live, military expert Lange classifies the current war situation.10/19/2023 | 33:18 minutes
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said of the ATACMS: “They’re going to make a big difference.” At the same time, he made it clear that there was no “silver bullet” in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
“It would have been better if Ukraine had been given this capability earlier, but it will definitely help Ukraine in the south now,” says military expert Nico Lange in an interview with ZDFheute about the US ATACMS delivery.
What is the difference from the German Taurus?
Because of their range, ATACMS missiles are often compared to the German Taurus cruise missiles, which Kiev also demands. The Taurus system is suitable for destroying bunkers and protected command posts at a distance of up to 500 kilometers. In addition to ATACMS and Taurus, the weapons with a range of hundreds of kilometers also include the Storm Shadow and Scalp cruise missiles, which Kiev received from Great Britain and France .
Nico Lange believes it would make “sense” if the Taurus system were also delivered in addition to ATTACMS missiles, “because the capabilities would complement each other well.”
That would help Ukraine turn things around in the war there in its own favor.
Nico Lange, military expert and political advisor
The demands remain vehement – but Chancellor Scholz does not want to deliver Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. What can the much-discussed weapon system do?05.03.2024 | 3:23 minutes
Will Germany now deliver Taurus?
Despite the ATACMS delivery from the USA, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) reiterates his rejection of Taurus. As far as the Bundeswehr’s cruise missiles with a range of 500 kilometers are concerned, “my decision will not change,” said Scholz at a press conference with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Berlin. “My decision is very clear as far as the one weapon system is concerned,” he said, referring to Taurus.
But my decision is also clear that we will continue to be Ukraine’s biggest supporter in Europe, that we will continue to be the two that do the most, along with Great Britain.
Olaf Scholz (SPD), Federal Chancellor
Why does Scholz have concerns about the Taurus?
Scholz has so far justified his no primarily by saying that target control to rule out the use of Taurus against Russian territory could only be possible with the help of Bundeswehr soldiers; This could mean that Germany could become a direct party to the war.
You can read how experts assess Scholz’s Taurus cancellation here:
Debate about cruise missiles
:What’s behind Scholz’ Taurus skepticism?
Olaf Scholz justifies his “no” to Taurus by saying he wants to rule out the Bundeswehr’s involvement in the Ukraine war. What’s that about it? And why is criticism coming from London?
by J. Schneider, K. Belousova, O. Klein
However, according to a report from “t-online”, there could be other reasons for the cancellation. Citing a “person familiar with the matter,” the news website reported on a special defense committee meeting in March.
There, Inspector General Carsten Breuer is said to have explained the technical and operational procedures for Taurus target control. It involves large and complex amounts of data that obviously have to be processed by special technical systems. However, these technical systems only exist to a limited extent.
If these were delivered to Ukraine, they would no longer be available to the Bundeswehr and could therefore sustainably weaken its own defense capability, said Breuer.
The debate over the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine continues to heat up. Apparently secret details about Germany’s defense capabilities were leaked. March 16, 2024 | 1:41 minutes
You can find current reports on Russia’s attack on Ukraine at any time in our live blog:
Russia attacks Ukraine
:Current news about the war in Ukraine
Since February 2022, Russia has been waging a war of aggression against Ukraine. Kiev has launched a counteroffensive and fighting continues. News and background information in the ticker.
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Source: AP, dpa, AFP, ZDF