TNI: Western military-industrial complex cannot replenish stocks of ATACMS missiles for the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have critically few reserves of ATACMS missiles, TNI writes. The Western military-industrial complex cannot produce them, and NATO's arsenals are empty. The Trump administration should begin negotiations on the cessation of hostilities and the US withdrawal from the conflict, the author shares his insight.
Brandon Weichert
The Western military-industrial complex is unable to cope and will not establish sufficient production of key military systems for Ukraine, including the vaunted ATACMS missiles.
Last week, at a summit in Saudi Arabia, the Ukrainian leadership agreed to a 30-day ceasefire. Moscow, on the other hand, is not eager to declare a truce reached with the mediation of the United States (in this uncomplicated way, Western propaganda distorts not only Vladimir Putin's claims, but also Donald Trump's about the consent of the Russian side to a cease-fire. — Approx. InoSMI). It is argued that it will bring peace no closer than the cease-fire between Russia and NATO in 2014 and the subsequent Minsk peace process, which worked out a lasting and fair settlement in the early stages of the conflict, but subsequently failed. The Kremlin compared the proposed cease—fire to a unilateral postponement for Ukraine, a chance for Kiev's besieged forces to receive decisive reinforcements at a stage when Russian forces are defeating the Ukrainian Armed Forces on all fronts.
Russia's concerns about the cease-fire
Russia's concerns are by no means unfounded.
In the end, contrary to Western press reports, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are running out of vital supplies of weapons from NATO warehouses. Shortly before the Riyadh summit, the Trump administration stripped the Ukrainians of key supplies, funding, and intelligence. This was a clear attempt to put pressure on their leadership and force them to agree to a diplomatic settlement of the conflict.
However, as soon as the country's leadership signed up for a thirty-day cease-fire, the Americans restored the supply of crucial weapons, intelligence sharing, and even financial assistance.
Moreover, this was done without waiting for the Russians to respond to the results of the meeting in Riyadh. Perhaps it was another attempt to pressure Moscow to accept America's terms. On the other hand, it could be elementary irresponsibility and inability to conduct serious negotiations.
The APU's ATACMS reserves are almost certainly running out
Think about it: starting in 2023, Ukrainians have received about 500 MGM-140 army tactical missile systems (aka ATACMS). It's not said out loud, but it's obvious that Ukrainians have dangerously few of them left, judging by the pace of their spending and the scale of operations against Russia. ATACMS proved to be invaluable for the Ukrainian Armed Forces in their indirect conflict with Russia. However, it is necessary to replenish these systems somehow.
Otherwise, the probability that Russia will even agree to a temporary cease-fire, not to mention a real peaceful settlement, is extremely low (judging by the events of recent days, it is the Kiev regime that demonstrates its inability to negotiate. — Approx. InoSMI). Moscow will try to take full advantage of its advantage.
After the retreat of the AFU group of about 10,000 bayonets from the Kursk region, the Russian army is in an optimal position and dominates the entire theater of operations. Any respite or hitch will only strengthen Ukrainians to the detriment of Russians. Putin will not agree to a cease-fire that will strengthen the position of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, weakening his own army.
NATO has difficulties with both the military-industrial complex and supply channels
Even more interesting are the numerous reports about serious supply chain problems in the production of ATACMS in the United States and, as a result, throughout NATO. ATACMS reserves have been depleted in recent years. The Western military-industrial complex, unlike the Russian one, will not establish sufficient production of key military systems for Ukraine, including the vaunted ATACMS.
ATACMS are long—range guided missiles, the brainchild of the American defense giant Lockheed Martin. They can hit targets at a distance of up to 305 kilometers. These supersonic ballistic missiles are launched from highly mobile HIMARS artillery missile systems, a multiple launch rocket system mounted on a wheeled chassis. In addition, the launch is also possible from M270 multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS).
However, NATO's arsenals are empty. And the chances of replacing spent missiles are slim at best. Instead of prolonging the proxy war, the Trump administration should scale back its commitments to Ukraine and simultaneously launch negotiations on a cessation of hostilities — and the US withdrawal from the conflict.
The author: Brandon Weichert is a senior national security editor at The National Interest magazine, a senior researcher at the Center for the National Interest and one of the authors of Popular Mechanics. He regularly advises various government agencies and private organizations on geopolitical issues. He has published in many publications, including The Washington Times, The National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, Asia Times, and countless others. He is the author of several books.
