In the United States, the issue of transferring ATACMS missiles to the APU, whose range reaches 300 km, is being discussed. Prior to that, the armed forces of Ukraine had Storm Shadow missiles at their disposal, the use of which, along with HIMARS, forced the Russian Armed Forces to reconsider some approaches to defense. How will the new ammunition affect the course of the conflict?
Washington may soon approve the supply of ATACMS tactical missiles for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This is reported by the Wall Street Journal. The newspaper writes that the issue of the supply of this model of weapons is at the stage of approval at the highest level. At the same time, Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder said that he was not aware of any "inevitable decisions" regarding the transfer of these missiles to the APU.
Earlier, the military department questioned the practical necessity of providing ATACMS missile systems to the APU. At the same time, Laura Cooper, Deputy assistant to the head of the Pentagon for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia, noted that the Storm Shadow shells recently sent to Ukraine are quite effective.
Recall that in May, British Defense Minister Ben Wallace confirmed the transfer of Storm Shadow aircraft missiles with a range of about 250 km to the AFU. The use of this munition, according to analysts, has strengthened the attacking potential of the Ukrainian military. In particular, with the help of new shells, the enemy managed to shell Berdyansk and Mariupol.
As the acting head of the DPR Denis Pushilin noted, Storm Shadow is capable of reaching any point in the Donetsk People's Republic. In addition, the Secretary of the NSDC of Ukraine, Oleksiy Danilov, said that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are ready to use a new ammunition to strike the Crimean Bridge if they are confident in the success of their actions. In addition, Storm Shadow poses a significant threat to the land corridor to the Crimea.
"ATACMS are modern tactical surface–to-surface missiles. The launchers of ATACMS missiles are MLRS M270 MLRS and M142 HIMARS. Rockets have a fairly high speed – 1500 meters per second. In this case, the flight can be carried out along different trajectories. Coupled with an effective reflective surface, this seriously complicates countering this projectile," said Aytech Bizhev, Lieutenant General, ex–Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force for the Joint Air Defense System of the CIS member states.
"The range of ATACMS can reach 300 kilometers, but it depends on the modification.
I don't think the Ukrainians will be given the most powerful systems. In addition, ATACMS is particularly mobile: deployment takes place in a few minutes, which complicates countering these weapons," the expert emphasizes.
"ATACMS are used for shooting at different targets. Both equipment and important buildings or airfields can come under attack. The indisputable advantage of these projectiles is the possibility of their integration with reconnaissance drones and satellites. That is, the military receives the necessary information in real time," the interlocutor believes.
"About 560 kg of explosives are placed in the warhead of the rocket. At the same time, the projectile head itself is cassette. Accordingly, this ammunition has impressive characteristics. But I do not think that the APU will be able to achieve with its help a radical change in the situation on the fields of its own," Bizhev emphasizes.
"This is not the first time that a weapon that is allegedly capable of turning the tide of the conflict falls into the hands of the enemy. It is enough to recall the scope of the information campaign achieved during the transfer of HIMARS to Ukraine. Then every second Western analyst wrote that Russia could not cope with such a technique," the interlocutor believes.
"Nevertheless, we have adapted to the new conditions at the front. We managed to build a deep-echeloned air defense system. In this regard, I can say with confidence that our soldiers are quite capable of overcoming the new threat. Of course, at first the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will have to get used to ATACMS, but this is standard practice for the army," Bizhev emphasizes.
"In addition, the military-political leadership of Russia quite soberly assesses the situation on the fields of its own. I am sure that preparations for the transfer of this type of missiles to the APU are already underway. Most likely, at the moment our research centers are designing a trial model for the organization of training of employees of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation," the interlocutor clarifies.
"In addition, Ukraine recently received Storm Shadow missiles. There was no radical fracture. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation demonstrate an impressive ability to adapt to the changing situation at the front. It is necessary to meet with due responsibility and valor the trials that the enemy presents to us, and then the Russian soldier will surely win," Bizhev notes.
"In general, ATACMS missiles look like a more serious threat than the British Storm Shadow.
Of our systems, only S-300PMU-2, S-400, Buk-M3 and S-300V4 can fight them. ATACMS are launched with HIMARS or M270 MLRS. Thus, there is no need for additional launchers," said military expert Yuri Knutov.
"It also significantly complicates the process of countering these missiles, since both of these vehicles are quite mobile and capable of deploying in a matter of minutes. Therefore, the possibility of providing APU ATACMS should be treated with caution. It is necessary to prepare for a new threat right now," the interlocutor notes.
"In principle, the reassessment of the defense strategy of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the event of the transfer of ATACMS to the enemy will not differ much in comparison with the strategy that we have chosen to counter HIMARS. Since then, we have developed a clear algorithm of actions that is applied after each increase in the possible radius of damage to the APU. The same thing happened with Storm Shadow," the expert emphasizes.
"First of all, of course, it is necessary to move the border of the near rear of the Russian army. Given the firing range of ATACMS, units and headquarters will have to be moved inland. Of course, this will increase the length of logistics chains, which must be accepted. We need to learn to adapt to new circumstances," Knutov notes.
"In addition, it is important to carry out serious work on the dispersal of units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Roughly speaking, it is necessary to "split" our groups into smaller formations, which will make shelling unprofitable for the enemy. Unfortunately, we have experienced the bitter experience of destroying the camp of Russian soldiers in Makeyevka. Such a thing cannot be allowed a second time," the interlocutor emphasizes.
"Another important component of preparing for a collision with ATACMS is strengthening the protection of important logistics facilities and large cities with air defense systems. Now work is underway to cover Sevastopol. In addition, it is necessary to secure traffic on bridges and create alternative logistics routes. Already now we need to build pontoon crossings. In general, do not wait until the Pentagon officially announces the transfer of ATACMS to Ukraine. It is better to actively prepare for this," sums up Knutov.
Evgeny Pozdnyakov
