Ukraine may receive 70 M39-version ATACMS ballistic missiles from Turkey, with a range of approximately 165 km. Defense Express writes about this, reports UNN.
Details
The transfer of the missiles requires U.S. permission to re-export American weapons. At the same time, the public nature of this process has already eliminated the possibility of using the element of surprise.
There are several versions of ATACMS with different ranges and warheads. The M57 and M39A1 have the longest range, approximately 300 km. The M39A1 is equipped with a cluster warhead containing 300 submunitions, while the M57 has a unitary WDU-18/B HE warhead weighing approximately 250 kg.
What missiles does Turkey have
According to Defense Express, Turkey has the M39 in service, also known as the MGM-140A Block 1. This is the first version of ATACMS, with a cluster warhead and a range of approximately 165 km.
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Ankara purchased 72 such missiles in 1996, and deliveries were completed in 1998. At the same time, Turkey could have purchased a total of 120 missiles, but it did not order the second batch of 48 units. Over the entire period of operation, according to the publication, the Turkish military used only two such missiles.
If Ukraine receives the M39 specifically, these missiles will have a limited range, but they could still be effective. The areas of Belgorod, Kursk, and Bryansk oblasts of Russia, from which missile strikes are launched against Ukraine, would fall within their strike range.
Also, within a range of approximately 165 km, there may be individual launch sites for Russian attack drones, including "Khalino" in Kursk Oblast, "Nyavlya" in Bryansk Oblast, and the territory of the occupied Donetsk Airport.
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