The United States has covertly supplied Ukraine with long-range missiles, a move previously resisted by the Biden administration but ultimately authorized by President Joe Biden himself.
The transfer of long-range ATACMS missiles was approved by Biden in February and included in a $300 million aid package announced in March, with delivery occurring earlier this month, as confirmed by Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Garron Garn.
The decision to keep the transfer confidential was made to preserve operational security at Ukraine’s request. While the Biden administration initially hesitated due to readiness concerns and complexities in missile production, efforts were made to address these issues behind the scenes.
Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the ATACMS missiles, has been producing approximately 500 missiles annually. Additional measures were taken to enhance readiness, including the purchase of more ATACMS missiles and bolstering US military stocks.
The decision to provide Ukraine with these long-range missiles was prompted by Russia’s acquisition and use of North Korean ballistic missiles against Ukraine, as well as its attacks on civilian infrastructure within Ukrainian territory.
With the resolution of readiness concerns, the US proceeded to fulfill its commitment to Ukraine, aligning with warnings issued to Russia regarding its aggressive actions.
The delivery of long-range missiles marks a significant escalation in US support for Ukraine, complementing previous aid packages. Ukrainian officials had advocated for these missiles to target deeper within Russian-held territory, a request that was previously met with resistance from US officials.
The inclusion of more missiles in the latest military assistance package, totaling nearly $61 billion, underscores the ongoing commitment to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities amid escalating tensions in the region.