The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the United States has refused to allow Ukraine to deploy the US-origin Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) against targets in Russia’s Kursk Oblast. Despite Ukraine’s request, which was aimed at solidifying control over recently seized territories in the region, the U.S. opted for a more calculated approach, prioritizing the use of its limited ATACMS stock in Crimea—a decision that continues to reverberate through the Russian military.

The ATACMS missile system has become one of the most pivotal pieces of military hardware in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. With its long-range capabilities, capable of hitting targets up to 300 kilometers away, ATACMS offers a significant advantage on the battlefield. Its deployment has repeatedly shifted the balance in critical areas, keeping Russian forces on high alert.

However, the U.S. decision to withhold ATACMS use in Kursk, as reported by unnamed officials to CNN, is not born out of fear of escalating the conflict. Instead, it reflects a strategic assessment of where these powerful weapons can have the most significant impact. The United States has a limited supply of these missiles, and the strategic choice has been to maximize their effect by focusing on Crimea—a region that has been a focal point of both symbolic and strategic importance throughout the conflict.

Strategic Importance of Crimea

For Ukraine, Crimea represents a key objective in its military campaign against Russia. Annexed by Russia in 2014, Crimea has been a central issue in the conflict and a symbol of Ukrainian resistance. The peninsula is not only a valuable military asset but also a potent symbol of Ukrainian sovereignty. For these reasons, the U.S. sees Crimea as a more critical area for the deployment of ATACMS.

By focusing on Crimea, the U.S. aims to disrupt Russian control in the region, potentially crippling its military operations and weakening its strategic position. This decision suggests that the U.S. is keen on ensuring that every ATACMS missile deployed achieves maximum impact, a strategy that could significantly influence the course of the conflict.

The U.S. refusal to authorize ATACMS use in Kursk, while prioritizing Crimea, sends a clear message to the Russian military: even with limited resources, the U.S. and its allies are capable of making strategic decisions that can alter the dynamics of the conflict. This move likely forces the Russian military to reconsider its deployment and defensive strategies, particularly in Crimea, where it may now face increased pressure.

The constant threat posed by ATACMS has already forced Russian forces to adapt, spreading out their assets and fortifying key positions. The fear of ATACMS strikes means that Russian military operations are perpetually under threat, creating an environment where every movement and decision must be weighed against the possibility of a devastating long-range missile strike.

Turkey’s ATMACA Missile: A Parallel Development with Distinct Objectives

While the ATACMS continues to play a crucial role in the Ukraine conflict, Turkey has been quietly advancing its missile technology with the development of the ATMACA (Hawk) missile system. Although sharing a similar name to the ATACMS, the ATMACA missile serves a different purpose, primarily focusing on anti-ship capabilities.

On August 18, Turkish defense company Roketsan announced the successful test launch of a new variant of the ATMACA missile, dubbed the ATMACA UM (long-range). Unlike its naval counterpart, the ATMACA UM is a land-based cruise missile with extended range and enhanced precision, designed to strike land targets with high accuracy.

Evolution of ATMACA: From Sea to Land

The ATMACA missile, originally developed as an anti-ship weapon, has been a cornerstone of Turkey’s naval defense strategy. Capable of engaging and destroying enemy ships, the ATMACA has proven itself as a reliable and potent tool in Turkey’s military arsenal. However, with the development of the ATMACA UM, Turkey is expanding the missile’s role to include land-based operations, a move that reflects the evolving nature of modern warfare.

The latest test of the ATMACA UM, which took place on Turkey’s Black Sea coast, demonstrated the missile’s ability to hit a floating target at an undisclosed distance, showcasing its long-range precision capabilities. This test marks the longest-range and longest-duration flight of the ATMACA missile to date, indicating significant advancements in its design and operational potential.

The ATMACA UM is equipped with a range of advanced features that make it a formidable weapon. Powered by the KTJ3700 engine, the missile can travel up to 280 kilometers (173.98 miles), making it one of the longest-range missiles in Turkey’s inventory. The missile’s guidance system includes an advanced imaging infrared (IIR) seeker head, which allows it to perform complex maneuvers and strike targets with centimeter-level precision.

This level of accuracy is crucial for modern warfare, where precision strikes against strategic targets can have a disproportionate impact on the battlefield. The ATMACA UM’s ability to target air defense batteries, land-based missile systems, and other critical infrastructure makes it a valuable asset for Turkey’s military, particularly in the context of long-range engagements.

Turkey’s Missile Development

The development of the ATMACA UM highlights Turkey’s ongoing efforts to enhance its military capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign defense systems. By creating a domestically produced, long-range precision strike missile, Turkey is not only strengthening its own defense posture but also positioning itself as a significant player in the global arms market.

The ATMACA UM is expected to enter operational service by 2026, further expanding Turkey’s long-range strike capabilities. This development is particularly important in the context of regional security, where Turkey faces a range of challenges from both state and non-state actors. The ability to conduct precision strikes against strategic targets will give Turkey a significant advantage in any potential conflict, particularly in contested areas such as the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.

ATACMS vs. ATMACA

While the ATACMS and ATMACA UM share similarities in their long-range strike capabilities, they are designed for different roles and operate within different strategic contexts. The ATACMS, with its focus on battlefield support and long-range precision strikes, is a critical tool in the context of large-scale conflicts such as the Ukraine-Russia war. Its ability to disrupt enemy operations and target strategic assets makes it a game-changer on the battlefield.

In contrast, the ATMACA UM, while also offering long-range precision strikes, is designed with a broader range of targets in mind, including both naval and land-based assets. Its versatility and advanced targeting systems make it a valuable asset for Turkey’s defense forces, particularly in scenarios where precision and range are crucial.

The continued development and deployment of long-range missile systems like the ATACMS and ATMACA UM underscore the evolving nature of modern warfare. As conflicts become more complex and the importance of precision strikes grows, these advanced missile systems will play an increasingly critical role in military strategy.

For the United States, the decision to prioritize Crimea for ATACMS deployment reflects a broader strategy aimed at maximizing the impact of limited resources in a conflict that shows no signs of abating. For Turkey, the successful development of the ATMACA UM represents a significant step forward in its quest for military self-sufficiency and regional dominance.

As these missile systems continue to evolve, their impact on global security dynamics will likely increase, influencing everything from regional power balances to the outcome of future conflicts. Whether on the battlefields of Ukraine or the shores of the Eastern Mediterranean, the importance of long-range, precision-guided missiles is only set to grow.