War in Ukraine: Ukraine receives its first delivery of M270 rocket launchers
Eva Deschamps / July 16, 2022
Ukraine said Friday it has received its first delivery of a sophisticated multiple rocket launcher system, adding to an arsenal of long-range artillery provided by the West.
The first MLRS M270s have arrived! They will be good company for the Himars on the battlefield, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov wrote on social networks, referring to the American precision rocket systems recently deployed in the conflict.
The United Kingdom announced in early June that it was supplying Ukraine with multiple rocket launchers (M270 MLRS) with a range of 80 kilometers to counter the Russian offensive. According to the British Ministry of Defence, this decision was taken in close coordination with the United States, which had just announced the supply of six-rocket Himars systems, with a range of 80 kilometers, mounted on light armoured vehicles.
The Ukrainians had been asking for some time for multiple rocket launchers that would allow them to strike Russian positions in depth, while placing their batteries further from the front.
However, in an effort to avoid the U.S. being seen as a cobelligerent, U.S. President Joe Biden has ruled out supplying Ukraine with long-range rocket launcher systems that could reach Russia, despite repeated requests from Kiev for such weapons.