The USA Allowed Turkey to Transfer 70 ATACMS Missiles to Ukraine

US Re-export Authorization Procedure

According to ХВИЛЯ: The USA has launched a re-export authorization procedure that will allow Turkey to transfer to Ukraine:

• 70 M39 ATACMS ballistic missiles,
• 12 M270 MLRS launchers,
• 2524 M26 missiles,
• 47000 M509A1 cluster munitions.

The transfer proposal has been submitted for consideration by the US Congress; the notifications are dated August 3, 2026, and were published in the Congressional Record on August 6, 2026.

Motivation and Transfer Process

The transfer of weapons is proposed and requires consideration by the US Congress. The State Department documents related to the transfer were printed in the Congressional Record on August 6. The transfer occurs in accordance with Section 3(d) of the Arms Export Control Act, which regulates transfers to third parties or re-export authorizations. The Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jim Risch, has submitted two separate notifications regarding the transfer of arms.

The first notification, RSAT 26-11496, covers:

• 12 M270 MLRS launchers,
• 2524 unguided M26 missiles with cluster warheads,
• 47000 203-mm M509A1 cluster munitions,

with an initial cost of approximately $255.9 million. The second notification concerns 70 M39 ATACMS missiles, which have an estimated cost of about $28 million. In the documents, Turkey is indicated as the supplying country and Ukraine as the recipient.

Turkey's motivation is to reduce its stockpiles of outdated defense products for modernization, while Ukraine's goal is to strengthen offensive and defensive fire support capabilities in response to the Russian invasion. Ukraine already possesses ammunition of this or a virtually similar type. The transfer process for M270 launchers, M26 missiles, and munitions will go through Turkish companies MKE A.S., ASFAT A.S., ARCA Savunma, Bulgarian VTIC International Ltd., and American Pansophico and Patriot Defense Group. The ATACMS missiles will also be transferred through MKE A.S. and the same two American companies.

The transfer notifications were delivered to Congress on August 3, 2026, and the law provides lawmakers with 30 calendar days for consideration. The transfer is suggested to take place immediately after the completion of the 30-day period. The documents were signed by Christopher Bergoust, a senior official in the Bureau of Legislative Affairs of the State Department. The US government is ready to authorize this transfer, taking into account political, military, and economic considerations, human rights, and arms control. Accompanying letters were directed to the Speaker of the House, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

If Turkey is preparing to transfer an offensive weapon system to Ukraine, especially a tactical ballistic missile like the ATACMS, then 'something' has seriously changed. - Arda Mevlutoglu

The transfer of weapons from Turkey to Ukraine underscores the importance of international support for Ukraine amid military aggression. It also signals a shift in the strategic relations between Turkey and Ukraine, as Turkey had previously been cautious regarding military assistance to Ukraine. The consideration by the US Congress of this transfer may significantly impact the further course of the conflict and relations between countries in the region.

The recent authorization for Turkey to transfer military equipment to Ukraine highlights a shift in regional defense dynamics. In a similar context, Turkey is also exploring arms sales, such as the potential sale of S-400 systems to a Gulf nation, as part of its broader strategy to re-engage with international defense partnerships. This move may influence Turkey's standing in global military alliances and impact its relations with NATO members.