Until now, after over 100 days into the Ukraine war, the Russians have not only had a preponderance of guns and rocket systems, they have also been able to out-range their Ukrainian opponents. Range is of huge significance to artillerymen. As with air power, the use of artillery is changing from a weapon which relied on saturation to be sure of destroying a target, to a precision tool…
In this domain, and in response, the US has recently agreed to send Ukraine several medium-range missile systems (about a dozen systems in all) despite continuing vocals and threats from Russia about the consequences of continued western support and supply of these weapons in particular. Indeed, no system is more formidable than the Himars (High Mobility Rocket Artillery System). related closely to a previous similar NATO system called the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (or MLRS, and also part of the delivery deal) – a formidable artillery system akin to the Soviet infamous ’Stalin’s organ’ of WW2.
The degree of Russian displeasure at this possibility was recently indicated by the first cruise missile strikes on Kyiv for five weeks, accompanied by more threats from Vladimir Putin to the effect that there would be more of the same if such supplies continued. It is well known that artillery remains Russia’s ‘god of war’. And the Russians have used daily their greater numbers in rocket launchers and guns to blast their way through Ukrainian towns, cities and defences.
Washington is very conscious of the messages that any long-range system provided to Ukraine sends to Moscow, especially the HIMARS, and are reluctant to provide very long-range ammunition, like the extremely potent unitary Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) with ranges up to 300 km, which could tempt Ukrainian army commanders to go after supply bases or headquarters in Russia itself. A modern weapon in line with the Tochka-U missile already fielded by the Ukrainian Army.
However at this stage only the M30 and M31 rockets are scheduled to be provided to the Ukrainian Army to fire from the HIMARS and MLRS. These powerful and very precise 227 mm rockets have a shorter but still considerable range around 70 km, ideal to strike Russian long-range entrenched artillery batteries. This is what makes the HIMARS a very formidable field weapon ready to boost Ukrainian counter offensive power.
It will take several weeks before Kyiv’s soldiers are fully trained to use these complex weapons systems. More time will be required to deploy and gain experience in using them. In total, four HIMARS will be donated by the U.S. Army, and around the same number of MLRS will be donated by the British Army. It is also not clear how many M30/31 rockets the US and UK will supply, but expected deliveries should be ‘generous’. <>
