The United States sent long-range missiles to Ukraine earlier this month. The American government had previously refused to send the weapons, following a directive from President Joe Biden, the Pentagon said on Wednesday (24).
Biden secretly approved the transfer of long-range ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) missiles in February for use inside Ukrainian territory.
The devices were then discreetly included in the US$300 million (R$1.5 billion) aid package announced on March 12, having been delivered to Ukraine earlier this month, according to Lieutenant Colonel Garron Garn, Pentagon spokesman.
“It has not been announced that we are providing Ukraine with this new capability at this time, with the aim of maintaining Ukraine's operational security as requested,” Garn explained, deferring questions about use to the Ukrainian military.
The Biden administration has resisted shipping long-range missiles, in part due to concerns about production speed. The powerful missiles require time and complex components to make.
Lockheed Martin, which manufactures ATACMS missiles, is in full production and makes approximately 500 missiles per year, a company spokesperson highlighted in September.
The U.S. worked behind the scenes to resolve concerns about agility, which included purchasing more ATACMS missiles and filling the U.S. military's stockpiles.
“As a result, we were able to move forward with this ATACMS provision while maintaining the current readiness of our armed forces,” said Major Charlie Dietz, Pentagon spokesman.
Biden also directed his team to take this step following Russia's acquisition and use of North Korean ballistic missiles against Ukraine and Russia's attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, according to a US official.
“We had warned Russia against acquiring North Korean ballistic missiles and against attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure,” Dietz said.
“With our readiness concerns resolved, we were able to fulfill our alert and provide this long-range capability to Ukraine,” he added.
More missiles are expected to be included in the new military assistance package announced by the Pentagon on Wednesday, after Biden signed into law an aid package that provides nearly $61 billion in assistance to Ukraine after months of delays. in Congress.
Last year, the US sent to Ukraine for the first time the medium-range variant of the ATACMS missile system, which can reach around 160 kilometers, while the long-range version can reach up to 300 kilometers.
Ukrainian officials have been urging the United States, privately and publicly, for long-range missiles to be targeted deeper behind Russian lines.
American officials have previously resisted sending such devices, citing supply issues and concerns about further provoking Moscow if they were deployed.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
