WASHINGTON – August 8, 2026 – The United States has notified Congress of a proposed permanent transfer of a large package of surplus rocket artillery and munitions to Ukraine, routed primarily through Turkish private entities, according to a State Department congressional notification.
The package includes 12 M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) launchers, approximately 2,500 M26 Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICM) rockets, 47,000 M509A1 203mm DPICM howitzer rounds, and 70 M39 ATACMS missiles.
The transfers, valued at roughly $256 million for the MLRS-related equipment and an additional $28 million for the ATACMS missiles, are being facilitated by Turkish firms including MKE AŞ, ASFAT AŞ and ARCA Savunma San. Tic. AŞ, along with a Bulgarian company and U.S. private entities. The notification states the move is consistent with U.S. security assistance objectives.
According to the documentation, Turkey seeks to reduce its inventory of older defense articles in order to focus resources on modernization. Ukraine, for its part, requires additional offensive and defensive fire support capabilities amid the ongoing war with Russia. Ukraine already operates similar systems and munitions.
The M270 launchers and associated rockets provide area-effect firepower, while the ATACMS missiles offer longer-range precision strike capability of up to several hundred kilometres. The inclusion of DPICM cluster munitions reflects the continued use of such systems on the battlefield despite international restrictions on new production in some countries.
The notification was transmitted in early August 2026 under the Arms Export Control Act. Transfers of this nature typically proceed after a congressional review period unless blocked.
The development comes as Türkiye continues to balance its relationships with both NATO allies and Russia while expanding its own defense industry and supporting Ukraine through various channels, including drones and naval vessels in previous years.
Rabbit Lake News will continue to monitor the progress of the proposed transfers.
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