Pentagon Green Lights Delivery of Critical Multiple Launch Rocket Systems to Ukraine

Video Above: Army 2-Star Describes Range Doubling, Course Correcting Artillery

By Kris Osborn – President & Editor-In-Chief, Warrior Maven

After months of urgent pleas from Ukraine and internal debate, the Pentagon has finally decided to send Multiple Launch Rocket Systems and High Mobility Artillery Rocket System to Ukraine to fight off invading Russian forces

“This system will provide Ukraine with additional precision in targeting at range. The Ukrainians have given us assurances that they will use this system for defensive purposes only. These are critical capabilities to help the Ukrainians repel the Russian offensive in the east. One such need is the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System I just mentioned, which responds to Ukraine’s top priority ask,” Dr. Colin Kahl, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, told reporters, according to a Pentagon transcript.

In existence for many years, HIMARS are mobile rocket systems which can in some cases hit ranges as far as 300 miles, but it is not clear how far the HIMARS Ukraine will receive will be able to travel to targets. . However the Pentagon appears to be offering precision guided rockets able to travel up to 70km. The weapon, called GMLRS, for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, is a GPS-guided precision rocket able to pinpoint targets out to 70 or 80km. GMLRS made its combat debut during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and was responsible for successful strikes on Taliban leaders such as Mullah Omar. These kinds of precision weapons could prove extremely impactful when it comes to targeting Russian rocket launchers, mechanized columns or force concentrations. 

“We’ve already pre-positioned the systems in the theater so that we can deliver them expeditiously. I think it’s important to keep in mind though, these aren’t turnkey these, of course, are systems that the Ukrainians need to be trained on. We think that’ll take around three weeks,” Kahl said.

A three-week training period is a long time considering that Ukrainian forces and civilian areas continue to be bombarded with incoming missiles, rockets and artillery, much of which is targeted towards neighborhoods and civilian areas.