Turkey seeks to reduce its stockpiles of older weapons in order to direct financial resources to the modernization and maintenance of existing systems.
Ukraine will purchase 70 M39 ATACMS ballistic missiles, 12 M270 multiple launch rocket systems using GMLRS and ATACMS missiles, and tens of thousands of ammunition from Turkey. This is reported by the “Sudovo-Yurydychna Gazeta“, the PromPolitInform portal reports.
As stated in a document of the US State Department, published in the official minutes of the US Congress for August 6, the State Department informed Congress of its intention to allow the transfer of 70 M39 ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles from Turkish stocks to Ukraine.
According to the documents, Turkey is the party proposing the transfer of weapons, and Ukraine is the final recipient. Since the missiles are of American origin, Ankara cannot transfer them to a third country without the appropriate US permission.
These are 70 M39 ATACMS missiles, the initial purchase cost of which was about $ 28 million. The transfer is planned to be carried out through the Turkish company MKE A.S. and the American companies Pansophico and Patriot Defense Group.
The documents explain that Turkey seeks to reduce stocks of older weapons in order to direct financial resources to the modernization and maintenance of existing systems.
At the same time, Ukraine plans to receive missiles to strengthen its fire support capabilities in countering the Russian invasion. The message separately emphasizes that Ukraine already has ammunition of the same or virtually similar type.
The American side stated that it is ready to authorize the transfer. In making this decision, the US government took into account political, military and economic factors, human rights and arms control issues. It is also stated that the transfer is consistent with US security assistance objectives.
The notification was submitted to Congress on August 3, 2026. According to the procedure, Congress has 30 calendar days to consider it. The transfer is planned to be carried out immediately after the end of the statutory period for notification to Congress.
In addition to ATACMS, a separate notification provides for the transfer to Ukraine from Turkish stocks of 12 M270 MLRS launchers, 2,524 M26 DPICM unguided missiles and 47,000 M509A1 DPICM 203-mm shells. The cost of this weaponry is estimated at approximately $255.9 million.
