NYT: The U.S. will send long-range mobile rocket launchers to Ukraine

The Biden administration has approved sending long-range multiple launch rocket systems to Ukraine, a significant transfer that could hugely aid Ukraine’s defense of its territory in the Donbas region, U.S. officials said on Friday.

Although officials have not provided details on exactly which types of rockets the United States will provide, the one used most often by the Pentagon is the M31 GMLRS, for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System — a satellite-guided precision weapon. It can fly more than 40 miles, well beyond the range of any artillery Ukraine now uses.

The United States plans to include High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or Himars, multiple-rocket launchers that move on wheeled truck chassis, in the next weapons package for Ukraine, the officials said.

A pod of six GMLRS rockets can be fired in a matter of seconds and could cause as much damage to a target as an airstrike with guided bombs.

For that reason, there had been some skittishness among administration officials that the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, could view the transfer as provocative.

On Friday, following a discussion with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the Ukrainian foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, announced the breakthrough in a tweet.

“Heavy weapons are on top of our agenda, and more are coming our way,” Mr. Kuleba said.

Source: The New York Times