WASHINGTON — The United States has approved the permanent transfer of American-origin military equipment from Türkiye to Ukraine, including 70 M39 ATACMS missiles, 12 M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) launchers, 2,524 M26 rockets and 47,000 M509A1 203 mm artillery rounds.
The transfer requires U.S. authorization because the weapons were originally supplied to Türkiye by the United States. The U.S. State Department notified Congress of the proposed permanent transfer on August 3, 2026, and the notification was published in the Congressional Record on August 6.
The equipment is being transferred from Turkish inventories to Ukraine. According to the notification, Türkiye wants to reduce its inventory of older defense equipment and use its financial resources for the modernization and sustainment of its existing systems. Ukraine is seeking the equipment to strengthen its offensive and defensive fire-support capabilities. The notification also states that Ukraine already possesses weapons of the same or essentially similar types.
What the Package Includes
| Equipment | Quantity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| M270 MLRS launchers | 12 | Tracked launchers capable of firing MLRS rockets and ATACMS missiles |
| M39 ATACMS missiles | 70 | Short-range ballistic missiles with a stated range of about 165 km |
| M26 DPICM rockets | 2,524 | Unguided 227 mm rockets carrying DPICM submunitions |
| M509A1 DPICM rounds | 47,000 | 203 mm artillery ammunition |
The M39 is an early ATACMS variant equipped with a cluster warhead containing 950 M74 submunitions. The M26 is an unguided 227 mm rocket originally designed for the M270 and HIMARS family of launchers.
The M270 is a tracked multiple-launch rocket system that can employ both 227 mm MLRS-family rockets and ATACMS missiles. This gives Ukraine additional launch platforms for the different types of ammunition included in the transfer.
Transfer Value
The Congressional notification lists an original acquisition value of approximately $255.9 million for the M270 launchers, M26 rockets and M509A1 rounds. The 70 M39 ATACMS missiles are listed separately at approximately $28 million.
Together, the two notifications put the original acquisition value of the equipment at about $284 million.
Companies Involved
The transfer is being arranged through several companies in Türkiye, Bulgaria and the United States.
The documents identify MKE A.Ş., ASFAT A.Ş. and ARCA Savunma San. Tic. A.Ş. as Turkish private entities involved in the transfer. VTIC International Ltd. is identified as the Bulgarian entity, while Pansophico and Patriot Defense Group are the U.S. private entities involved in the transaction.
Congressional Review
The equipment is scheduled to be transferred immediately after the congressional notification period is completed, according to the State Department notification. The proposed transfer remains subject to the statutory congressional review process.
The approval is significant because Washington's authorization allows Türkiye to transfer U.S.-origin systems from its own inventory to Ukraine rather than requiring the equipment to come directly from U.S. stocks.
Additional Long-Range Firepower for Ukraine
The 70 M39 ATACMS missiles would add to Ukraine's existing inventory of ATACMS missiles. The M39 variant has a range of approximately 165 kilometers and uses a cluster warhead, making it different from newer ATACMS variants equipped with unitary warheads.
The 12 M270 launchers would also expand Ukraine's fleet of tracked launch systems. Together with the M26 rockets and ATACMS missiles, the package provides Ukraine with additional ammunition and launch platforms for its existing long-range and rocket-artillery capabilities.
The 47,000 M509A1 203 mm rounds are another major part of the transfer. Ukraine operates Soviet-designed 2S7 Pion 203 mm self-propelled guns, while M509A1 is a 203 mm DPICM artillery round. Public sources have previously documented the presence and use of 203 mm ammunition in Ukraine.
No specific delivery date has been publicly identified in the notification beyond the statement that the transfer is proposed to begin after the congressional notification period is completed.
The package therefore represents a permanent third-country transfer of U.S.-origin weapons from Türkiye to Ukraine, combining ATACMS missiles, M270 launchers, MLRS rockets and 203 mm artillery ammunition in a single transfer.
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