The Wall Street Journal reports that the U.S. has secretly modified M142 HIMARS supplied to Ukraine so that the Armed Forces do not
What is known
According to the WSJ, hardware andsoftware changes that limited the maximum launch range. According to the American publication, the M142 HIMARS artillery systems that are sent to Ukraine cannot use long-range missiles, including ballistic ATACMS with a launch range of 300 km.
WSJ cites anonymous Americanofficials. They argue that the Pentagon took this step because the Joe Biden administration believes it would reduce the risk of an escalation and wider war with Russia.
The statement looks strange.First, the WSJ refers to unknown officials. Secondly, why invent a bicycle and introduce some kind of restrictions (especially software ones) to the missile system, if you can simply not give long-range missiles, which, in fact, the United States has been doing for six months now.
Air Force Brigadier General Patrick RyderRyder stated that the ministry, for security reasons, does not provide information (publicly) on weapon systems configurations being transferred to allies and partners. Also, the representative of the defense department noted that the United States is committed to providing Ukraine with the ability to counter Russian aggression. The White House and Ukraine declined to comment.
</ p>Image: D.W.
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