President Volodymyr Zelensky’s announcement that Ukraine will secure a new deal for “long-range weapons” from the United States has sparked intense speculation about which systems might be on the table. While Zelensky remained tight-lipped, an analysis of Ukraine’s stated needs and the available US inventory provides several likely candidates that could be game-changers for the conflict.
The most frequently mentioned system is the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). This surface-to-surface missile, fired from HIMARS launchers already in Ukraine, has variants that can strike targets up to 300 kilometers (about 185 miles) away. Providing ATACMS would allow Ukraine to hit nearly any Russian military target within its occupied territories, including key logistical hubs and airbases in Crimea.
Another possibility includes air-launched cruise missiles like the AGM-158 JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile). These could be integrated with Ukraine’s existing aircraft, giving them the ability to strike well-defended, high-value targets from a safe distance. The technical meetings in Washington will likely involve complex discussions about the feasibility of integrating such systems.
The push for these weapons, agreed in principle with President Donald Trump, is about more than just range; it’s about precision and payload. Unlike the smaller drones Ukraine currently uses for deep strikes, these missile systems deliver a much larger warhead with pinpoint accuracy, capable of destroying hardened targets like command bunkers and bridges.
As Ukraine prepares to finalize this deal, its defensive capabilities are also being upgraded with Patriot air defense systems. This is crucial, as any new long-range offensive capability would almost certainly provoke a retaliatory response from Russia. The combination of a longer spear and a stronger shield is the core of Ukraine’s evolving military strategy.
