By: Teresa Gong

The Biden administration is currently refusing to send long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine, despite mounting pressure from U.S. lawmakers and pleas from the Ukrainian government. The decision has caused disappointment among U.S. lawmakers who dislike the slow pace of Ukraine’s counteroffensive against entrenched Russian forces.

It is speculated that the Biden administration may eventually approve the transfer of ATACMS, as proposals that similar weapons systems be sent were initially denied and later approved during the 17-month war.

In late May, President Biden indicated that the possibility of providing ATACMS to Ukraine was “still in play.” However, there have been no substantive discussions about the issue for months, according to U.S. defense and administration officials.

Ukraine has said that ATACMS are essential to destroy command posts and logistics areas far behind Russia’s front lines.

“Without long-range weapons, it is difficult not only to carry out an offensive mission but also to conduct a defensive operation,” Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said at a July 7 news conference in Prague.

However, some U.S. officials argue that Ukraine’s recent acquisition of cruise missiles from Britain and France, which have a range of about 140 miles, has reduced its need for ATACMS, which have a range of 190 miles.

“There’s a very limited number [of ATACMS] available to export, and for distances longer than the [Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System] can reach, the Ukrainians have been given Storm Shadows and SCALPS,” an unnamed defense official said.

The Pentagon believes that Ukraine has other urgent needs, and that sending enough ATACMS to make a difference on the battlefield could impact U.S. readiness for potential conflicts in other regions.

The U.S. plans to replace ATACMS with a next-generation, longer-range Precision Strike Missile called the Prism, which is expected to enter service by the end of the year.