Mike Stone

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The White House plans to give advanced anti-ship missiles to Ukrainian fighters as part of its efforts to defeat Russia’s naval blockade. Officials said this amid fears that more powerful weapons could cause the Russian navy to sink.

Ukraine is openly expressing its desire for more advanced U.S. military capabilities, beyond the existing arsenal of artillery, Javelin, Stinger and other weapons. For example, Kyiv has a list of missiles that can push Russia’s navy out of its Black Sea ports and allow for the start of international shipments of grain.

Former and current U.S. officials, as well as congressional sources, have mentioned roadblocks that prevent the United States from sending more powerful, longer-range weapons to Ukraine. These include long training requirements and difficulties maintaining equipment. There are also concerns about U.S. weaponry being captured by Russian forces.

However, three U.S. officials as well as two congressional sources stated that the Harpoon missile made by Boeing and the Naval Strike Missile made of Raytheon Technologies, Kongsberg, and Raytheon Technologies were being considered for shipment to Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy (Ukraine’s President) appealed to Portugal in April for Harpoons. They have a range up to 300 km.

However, there are many obstacles that prevent Ukraine from receiving missiles. There are not many platforms available to launch Harpoons off shore, which is a technical challenge according to officials. It is a mostly sea-based missile.

Two U.S. officials stated that the United States was looking into possible solutions, including pulling a launcher from an American ship.

The British defense ministry stated that about 20 Russian Navy vessels (including submarines) are located in the Black Sea operational Zone.

Bryan Clark is a Hudson Institute naval expert. He said that 12-24 anti-ship missiles such as the Harpoon, with ranges of over 100 kilometers, would suffice to menace Russian ships. This could also convince Moscow to lift its blockade. Clark claimed that Ukraine might be able take down the biggest Russian ships if Putin does not stop. They have no place to hide in Black Sea.  

Russia suffered several losses at sea already, including the sinking and damage to the Moskva cruiser (the flagship of its Black Sea fleet).

Who goes first?

The U.S. official and congressional sources stated that only a handful of countries were willing to send Harpoons into Ukraine. However, no nation wants to be seen as the sole or first to ship Harpoons to the Ukraine. This is because Russia might retaliate against Russia, said the third U.S. official.

A U.S. official stated that one country was considering becoming the first nation to deliver the missile to Ukraine. Official said that Harpoons will be sent to Ukraine once the “well-stocked” country has committed.

You can launch the Naval Strike Missile from Ukraine’s coast. It has a range up to 250km. The operation takes only 14 days.

According to sources, NSMs were less complicated than Harpoons in logistical terms because NATO allies could borrow mobile ground launchers that are readily available and warheads coming from Norway.

According to the first U.S. official and congressional sources, the United States tried to find a way to allow Ukraine to acquire NSM and launchers through European allies.

The congressional sources said another option would be for Norway to donate NSMs to Ukraine, an idea supported by Norwegian members of parliament https://mil.in.ua/en/news/norwegian-parliament-is-proposing-to-transfer-the-nasams-air-defense-and-nsm-strike-missiles-to-ukraine. The Norwegian Ministry of Defense refused to discuss any additional arms or defense equipment that it might offer to Ukraine.

U.S.-related weapons requests, including Harpoons/NSMs, must be approved by U.S. State Department. The White House provides guidance.

Multiple Rocket Launch Systems, also known as MLRS (Multiple Rocket Launch Systems), are another weapon Ukraine is interested in. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:) This can hit targets 70 kilometers or further away. It is a threefold improvement over their existing howitzer rounds.

According to two U.S. officials, Biden’s administration has sent M777 towed howitzers instead, which were more efficient and could be shipped faster.

The two U.S. officials said the M270 or similar system like the M142 HIMARS would be considered for shipment to Ukraine once Congress passed a $40 billion supplemental funding bill that would authorize an additional $11 billion worth of Presidential Drawdown Authority. The president can authorize transfers of surplus weapons from U.S. Stocks without the approval of Congress in an emergency.