Ukraine purchases 70 ATACMS missiles from Türkiye

KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO - 8 August, 20:52

ATACMS. Stock photo: Getty Images

Ukraine has purchased 70 M39 ATACMS ballistic missiles from Türkiye, along with 12 M270 multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) capable of firing GMLRS and ATACMS missiles, as well as tens of thousands of cluster munitions.

Source: Militarnyi portal, citing a statement by the US Department of State published in the official Congressional Record for 6 August 2026

Details: It is noted that deliveries are expected to begin immediately after the legally mandated 15-day congressional review period concludes. The State Department submitted the relevant documents to lawmakers on 3 August.

The law requires Congress to be notified if the initial cost of major defence equipment is at least US$14 million or if the total value of other defence goods and services is at least US$50 million.

Meanwhile, Congress does not need to vote separately to approve the transfer. If, within 15 calendar days, both chambers of Congress do not adopt a joint resolution blocking it, US government consent for re-export automatically enters into force. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is in recess until 31 August and the Senate until 14 September.

Overall, Congress was notified of the transfer to Ukraine of:

12 M270 MLRS launchers;
70 M39 ATACMS ballistic missiles;
2,524 unguided 227 mm M26 rockets with DPICM cluster warheads;
47,000 M509A1 203 mm cluster artillery shells for 2S7 Pion and M110 self-propelled guns.

According to the report, the transfers will be carried out through Turkish, Bulgarian and American defence and logistics companies acting as authorised exporters.

The State Department informed Congress that it is prepared to approve the transfer, as it aligns with US security assistance objectives.

The documents note that Türkiye seeks to reduce its stockpiles of outdated weapons in order to focus financial resources on modernisation and maintaining existing systems. Ukraine, in turn, intends to acquire the weapons to strengthen its offensive and defensive fire support capabilities in countering the Russian invasion.

Reference: The M39 is the first production modification of the ATACMS ballistic missile, with a maximum range of about 165 km. It is equipped with an autonomous inertial guidance system with laser gyroscopes but does not yet feature GPS-based correction.

The missile’s relatively low accuracy is offset by its powerful 560 kg cluster warhead. It carries 950 M74 fragmentation submunitions designed to strike personnel, unarmoured vehicles, air defence systems and other area targets.

Each M74 has a diameter of 75 mm and weighs around 500 grams. Upon detonation, the munition can produce approximately 260 fragments, creating a lethal area of up to 15 square metres.

Background: On 28 July, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in the United States with representatives of defence company Lockheed Martin, which produces ATACMS, HIMARS, F-16 fighter jets and missiles for Patriot systems.

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