Ukraine’s ATACMS Missile Stockpiles Have Run Dry: A Major Blow to the War Effort
Eastern Europe and Central Asia , Missile and Space
The Ukrainian Army has expended its supply of American supplied Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles during hostilities with Russia, according to a report by a U.S. official to the Associated Press. Ukraine’s stock of ATACMS was fully exhausted by late January, while the country has recently received “fewer than 40” new missiles to replenish them. ATACMS were supplied to Ukraine from September 2023, and have proven particularly effective for precision strikes on high value Russian targets.
In January they were used to launch a successful strike on an 92N6 detection radar from a Russian S-400 long range surface to air missile system near the frontlines near the city of Belgorod, and two months prior were used to destroy two launchers from another S-400 system. Attacks using the systems escalated from November 17, after Washington provided the green light for use of the missiles against internationally recognised Russian territory.
ATACMS missiles require use of Western satellite networks for targeting, as well as the extensive presences of supporting active duty and contractor personnel from Western countries. American Global Hawk surveillance drones flying near Russia are also reported to have provided key support allowing the missiles to be effectively utilised.
The effectiveness of ATACMS systems has reportedly at times been hindered by the effective use of Russian electronic warfare systems. In May 2024 EMP Task Force scholar and former U.S. Department of Defence officer David T. Pyne reported that Russia “has the most capable electronic warfare systems in the world with the longest range and most powerful GPS and radio frequency jammers of any nation,” adding that he was “impressed by "the speed at which Russian long range jammers have been able to adapt to jamming new U.S. and NATO weapon systems that have been introduced into the conflict.” He predicted at the time that Russian GPS jammers "will likely prove increasingly effective against the recently supplied extended range U.S. ATACMS missiles as well." The effectiveness of Russian electronic warfare against the ATACMS’ countermeasures has been hotly debated by analysts of the conflict.
While electronic warfare systems have provided a degree of protection to frontline units, the ATACMS has proven capability of attacking targets deep behind Russian lines, with a notable victory gained in May 2024 with the destruction of two of Russia’s prized MiG-31BM interceptors at Belbek Air Base on the disputed Crimean Peninsula. The importance of the ATACMS makes the depletion of the arsenal a significant blow to the Ukrainian war effort, particularly when considering the United States’ limited production capacity to restore supplies Russia has faced no similar issues, with its defence sector having proven capable of increasing its own arsenals of tactical ballistic missiles for the Iskander-M system while procuring KN-23B missiles from North Korea to further augment its arsenal.
