American MLRS for Ukraine: help is delayed
M270 firing M30 rocket
The situation around the transfer of American multiple launch rocket systems to Ukraine is taking on an interesting look. A few weeks ago, it was reported that the Ukrainian army had already received such equipment and the necessary ammunition, and even used them in battles. However, it soon became clear that such deliveries had not yet begun and were at the planning stage. At the same time, Washington does not show much enthusiasm, and the possible start of shipment of equipment is postponed.
Allegedly transferred MLRS
At the time of the beginning of the Russian Special Operation, the Ukrainian army had quite large quantities of rocket artillery. However, massive strikes by all means of the Russian army led to a reduction in the fleet of such equipment and stocks of missiles for it. As a result, Kyiv began to ask for help from other countries, and from mid-April even received a number of obsolete imported samples.
On April 21, it became known that the United States is now providing similar assistance. Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland said that the next package of military-technical assistance to Ukraine included MLRS. Moreover, the first combat vehicles have already been sent to the recipient. The type and quantity of equipment were not reported, but on official resources such news illustrated with photographs of the M142 HIMARS system.
In the last days of April, news about the first use of American technology spread through Ukrainian resources. It was alleged that the United States had already transferred and delivered the M270 MLRS systems to Ukraine. Such equipment has reached the combat zone and is being used against Russian troops. However, there is no evidence of the existence of these MLRS and their use, incl. successful, were not given. Moreover, photos and videos from American exercises were attached to the "news".
Starting the ATACMS product
The appearance of American MLRS at the front was again discussed on May 10-12. Various sources reported that the M270 and M142 systems appeared in the Kharkov area. A few days later, HIMARS were allegedly seen in the area of the city of Slavyansk. This news was based on the words of eyewitnesses, and photo and video materials with new equipment were not given.
In the following weeks, there were no new reports of the presence of American MLRS in Ukraine. There was no news about the arrival of such equipment, its use or death under Russian strikes. Also, there was no evidence of her presence, which leads to certain thoughts and raises well-known questions.
Lend-Lease equipment
Since the end of April, Washington has been actively discussing a new Lend-Lease program to help Ukraine. In this context, various types of American-made weapons and equipment were mentioned, incl. MLRS M270 and M142. It is curious that the supply of such systems was discussed only in the future tense, and the recent statement by V. Nuland was no longer mentioned. Why is the big question.
The law on the new procedure for military-technical assistance has successfully passed all instances and was signed by the US president in early May. Soon the American media reported on the ongoing preparation of a new aid package. It may include some long-range artillery, the type of which was not reported.
ATACMS and M142 launcher
In the twenties of May, the US press reported that the supply of MLRS to Ukraine was facing new problems. As it turned out, Washington fears that the Ukrainian army may use such weapon for targets in Russia. Such an attack could have serious military and political consequences and risks for the United States. On May 30, President Joe Biden personally announced the impossibility of transferring missiles dangerous to Russia.
On May 27, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said that the possibility of transferring the MLRS is still being discussed, but a final decision has not yet been made. However, literally on the same day, other information appeared in the press, received from sources in the country's leadership. According to this news, the fundamental decision on the transfer of multiple launch rocket systems has been made.
So, CNN claims that a certain number of MLRS of one type or another will be included in the new package of military technical assistance. The relevant documents can be signed this week, after which the formation of batches of equipment and ammunition for shipment will begin.
What kind of MLRS can be allocated to help Ukraine is unknown. The number of combat vehicles, the range of ammunition and other aspects of the supply have not yet been disclosed either. At the same time, it is known that the Pentagon is not going to send a large amount of equipment. Helping an ally should not threaten the combat capability of one's own army.
Reloading HIMARS with your own crane
News and reality
Thus, from the messages and statements of the last month and a half, a curious picture is emerging with noticeable internal contradictions. Thus, earlier news is directly refuted by subsequent information and real events. Why this happened is a big question with an obvious answer.
Judging by the latest news, the reports in April and May about the delivery of the M270 and M142 to Ukraine simply did not correspond to reality. Perhaps behind such "news" could be the desire to pass off wishful thinking, characteristic of the Kyiv regime. With reports of MLRS or HIMARS once again they tried to maintain the spirit of their fighters and scare ours. However, the Russian army and its allies from the Donbass have repeatedly shown that they are not afraid of any imported “wonder weapon”.
Now it turned out that the MLRS were not transferred, and in Washington they are only discussing the possibility of such deliveries. However, according to the latest data, the discussions have been completed. M270 or M142 can now spawn in the war zone. Of course, if the latest reports from CNN and other foreign media are true.
Threat and opposition
What type of MLRS and in what quantities will be supplied to Ukraine has not yet been specified. However, even without this, it is clear what kind of threat MLRS and HIMARS pose, and how they should be dealt with. In this context, American MLRS hardly differ from other systems in service with the Ukrainian army.
PrSM rocket launch
First of all, it is possible to prevent the entry of foreign equipment to the front. The Russian army has accumulated extensive experience in detecting and destroying military cargo at the stage of transfer. In addition, launchers can be found in a combat zone or in position. In all cases, artillery, rockets or aviation can destroy them.
The performance and combat qualities of the M270 and M142 depend on the ammunition used. The main projectile is an M26 unguided rocket in various modifications with a range of up to 40-45 km. There are also guided projectiles of the M30 and M31 series with a range of up to 60 or up to 130 km. Missiles are delivered in unified containers, six in each.
Unguided and guided missiles fly on a predictable ballistic trajectory, which makes them easier to detect, track and engage with anti-aircraft weapons. Our military air defense regularly intercepts Soviet-style MLRS missiles, and there is no reason to doubt its ability to hit a similar foreign product.
In theory, together with MLRS or HIMARS, Ukraine can receive ATACMS missiles. These are operational-tactical ballistic missiles with a range of up to 140 or up to 300 km, depending on the modification. Combat load - monoblock or cassette weighing up to 560 kg. Only one missile fits in a standard MLRS / HIMARS container.
All ATACMS products are ballistic missiles with a predictable trajectory. Accordingly, the detection and defeat of such a target is not fundamentally difficult. Thus, our air defense has already gained experience in combating Tochka-U missiles, and it can be used against imported products. However, due to the greater range and speed on the descending part of the trajectory, ATACMS interception can be more difficult.
In the context of the transfer of American MLRS, the PrSM missile with a range of 500 km is often mentioned. Such weapons could pose a particular danger to our troops and facilities on Russian territory. However, Ukraine will not receive it. First of all, due to the fact that the PrSM project is still at the testing stage. Serial production and delivery of such missiles to the US Army will begin no earlier than next year. In addition, PrSM cannot be exported due to Missile Technology Control Regime restrictions.
Help delayed
Thus, the situation around the supply of American MLRS to Ukraine continues to develop, but so far does not give any real results. The April news about the transfer and the first use of such equipment was not true, and real deliveries may not begin until the coming weeks or later.
However, Ukraine will not be able to use the full potential of such assistance. Like other foreign models of equipment and weapons, the M270 or M142 will be at great risk. They can be destroyed at any time after they enter Ukrainian territory, and under such conditions, effective combat use is practically impossible.
- Ryabov Kirill
- US Department of Defense, Lockheed Martin
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