US State Department notifies Congress of Ukraine's purchase of 70 ATACMS missiles from Turkey
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The U.S. State Department has formally notified Congress of its approval for the re-export of 70 American-made ATACMS ballistic missiles and other weapons systems from Turkey to Ukraine. The deal includes multiple launch rocket systems and over 49,000 cluster munitions, pending a 15-day congressional review period. The notification comes as Ukraine seeks to bolster its defenses against Russian aggression, while U.S. lawmakers are in recess until late August.
The Acquisition
Ukraine is set to receive 70 M39 ATACMS missiles with a range of 165 km, 12 M270 MLRS launchers, 2,524 M26 cluster rockets, and 47,000 M509A1 cluster artillery shells for 2S7 Pion and M110 howitzers. The M39 missile carries 950 submunitions and relies on inertial guidance, without GPS correction. Turkey aims to divest older stockpiles to fund its own military modernization. The total value of the package has not been disclosed.
Congressional Hurdle
The State Department's notification on August 8 triggers a 15-day review period during which Congress can block the transfer by passing a joint resolution of disapproval. Both chambers are in recess, the House until August 31 and the Senate until September 14, making a formal vote unlikely. If no resolution is adopted, the approval takes effect automatically. The re-export will be carried out by Turkish, Bulgarian, and American defense logistics firms.
Depleted US Stockpiles
Reuters sources indicate the United States has nearly exhausted its own ATACMS and ground-to-ground missiles during the conflict with Iran, causing President Donald Trump to demand explanations from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The M39 ATACMS is an early variant first produced in the 1990s. Ukraine's purchase may help offset shortages as both Washington and Kyiv face ammunition constraints.
What's Next
The U.S. Congress has until August 23 to potentially block the transfer, though no action is expected during the recess. It remains unclear whether logistical arrangements will face delays, given the involvement of multinational defense contractors and Turkey's own modernization timeline.
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US State Department notifies Congress of Ukraine's purchase of 70 ATACMS missiles from Turkey
