As early as next week, the Biden administration could announce an escalation in the weapons supply to Ukraine, possibly allowing deliveries of MLRS and HIMARS long-range multiple rocket launchers, CNN reported on Thursday, citing multiple officials.
The M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) are two versions of US-made rocket artillery systems that can mostly fire the same types of rockets.
Depending on the projectile used, they can have a range of up to 500km, though the more affordable munitions offer an effective firing range of 32 to 70km. The main difference is that the MLRS is a heavier tracked system that carries twice the number of rockets as the wheeled truck-mounted HIMARS.
Ukrainian officials have listed both systems among the weapons they want the US and its allies to donate to their fight against Russia. Kiev has Soviet Grad and Uragan multiple rocket launchers in its arsenal, but says the American systems would give them an advantage on the battlefield.