Ukraine buys 70 ATACMS missiles, other US weapons from Turkey in major defense package

Ukraine has purchased a significant package of U.S.-made defense equipment from Turkey, including 70 long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), according to U.S. congressional records.

The weapons transfer is expected to be initiated in late August.

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 recorded in congressional minutes on Aug. 6.

ATACMS are long-range surface-to-surface ballistic missiles produced by U.S. manufacturer Lockheed Martin. The M39 version represents an earlier model, with a range of approximately 165 kilometers (103 miles).

The upcoming transfer will be facilitated through a number of private companies, including Turkey's MKE, ASFAT, and ARCA Savunma, Bulgaria's VTIC International, and the U.S. firms Pansophico and Patriot Defense Group.

According to the State Department, Turkey aims to "reduce its inventory of older defense articles to focus its financial resources on modernization and sustainment of existing systems."

Ukraine, meanwhile, is looking to "bolster its offensive and defense fire support capabilities as it resists the Russian invasion." The State Department also noted that the transaction is "consistent with U.S. security assistance objectives."

Under U.S. President Donald Trump, Washington ended large-scale defense funding and delivery of U.S. military aid to Ukraine, leaving Kyiv to rely on support from other partners to obtain key weapons systems.

Turkey, a NATO member, has positioned itself as a mediator in the Russia-Ukraine war, maintaining a close economic and political partnership with Moscow while also providing arms to Kyiv.

The U.S. Arms Export Control Act requires Congress to review transfers of American weapons to third countries if the initial cost of the materiel exceeds $14 million. The package Ukraine will receive from Turkey carries an original acquisition value of around $280 million.

As long as Congress does not pass a joint resolution banning the re-export of the weapons within the next two weeks, the transfer will automatically be authorized.

Ukraine received its first batch of the shorter-range M39 ATACMS in the fall of 2023 from former U.S. President Joe Biden, after a long lobbying campaign from Kyiv.

In the spring of 2024, the U.S. began supplying upgraded models that could fly up to 300 kilometers (186 miles). At the time, Kyiv was only permitted to deploy these missiles against targets in occupied Ukrainian territory. In November 2024, Ukraine was finally permitted to launch ATACMS at targets within Russia.

In the past year, Ukraine has only used ATACMS a handful of times, as its stocks are understood to be severely depleted.

The U.S. is also reportedly facing a serious shortage of ATACMS due to the war against Iran.