The U.S. State Department notified Congress last week that it proposes to approve the transfer of U.S.-made artillery and munitions from Turkiye to Ukraine. According the notification, the proposed transfer involves a dozen M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) launchers—the heavier, tracked predecessor to the wheeled HIMARS launcher—2,524 M26 rocket shells with cluster munitions, and 47,000 rounds of M509A1 203mm howitzer rounds, also equipped with cluster munitions. A second notification proposes the permanent transfer of 70 M39 ATACMS Missiles.
As for the stated reason for the proposed transfers: “Turkiye seeks to reduce its inventory of older defense articles to focus its financial resources on modernization and sustainment of existing systems,” the notifications say. “Ukraine seeks to acquire these systems to bolster its offensive and defense fire support capabilities as it resists the Russian invasion. Ukraine already possesses munitions of the same or essentially similar type.”
