Turkey is moving 70 ATACMS missiles to Ukraine as part of a $300 million weapons package, a transfer that still needs approval from the U.S. Congress. The deal, first reported on Friday, has not yet cleared the required review process.
What the package includes
The package consists of 70 Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS, long-range surface-to-surface missiles. These are precision-guided weapons designed to hit targets at distance, and they've become a key part of Ukraine's ability to strike behind enemy lines.
The $300 million price tag covers the missiles themselves and associated logistics. Turkey is the supplier, though the missiles are American-made. That's why the transfer is subject to congressional review—U.S. law requires approval for the re-transfer of American weapons to a third party.
The review process
The transfer is now sitting with Congress, which has the power to block it. That review typically takes weeks, though there's no set timeline in the public record. Until it's complete, the missiles won't leave Turkey.
This isn't the first time Turkey has been involved in military aid to Ukraine, but it's a notable move given the size and value of the package. The 70 missiles would give Ukraine a significant boost in its long-range strike capability, assuming the deal goes through.
What happens next
Congress has the final say. Lawmakers can approve the transfer as-is, modify it, or reject it outright. There's no indication yet of which way the review will go, and neither Turkey nor Ukraine has commented publicly on the timeline.
The missiles are ready to ship once the green light comes. Until then, the package remains in limbo.
