After months of urgent pleas from Ukraine, the Pentagon has finally decided to send the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System to Ukraine to fight off invading Russian forces.

“This system will provide Ukraine with additional precision in targeting at range. The Ukrainians have given us assurances that they will use this system for defensive purposes only. … These are critical capabilities to help the Ukrainians repel the Russian offensive in the east… which responds to Ukraine's top priority ask,” Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl told reporters in a Pentagon briefing. 

In existence for many years, HIMARS are mobile rocket systems that can hit targets as far as fifty miles away, though it is not clear how far the HIMARS Ukraine will receive will be able to travel to targets. However, the Pentagon appears to be offering precision-guided rockets able to travel up to ninety miles. The weapon, called GMLRS, for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, is a GPS-guided precision rocket. The GMLRS made its combat debut during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and was responsible for successful strikes on Taliban leaders. These kinds of precision weapons could prove extremely impactful when it comes to targeting Russian rocket launchers, mechanized columns, or force concentrations. 

“[W]e've already pre-positioned the systems in the theater so that we can deliver them expeditiously. I think it's important to keep in mind though, these aren't turnkey these, of course, are systems that the Ukrainians need to be trained on. We think that'll take around three weeks,” Kahl said. 

A three-week training period is a long time considering that Ukrainian forces and civilian areas continue to be bombarded with missiles, rockets, and artillery, much of which is targeted at neighborhoods and civilian areas. 

There is some room for interpretation regarding how the rockets could be used for “defensive” purposes; it raises the question as to whether firing rockets into Russian territory would constitute “offensive use.” Kahl made a point to explain that many Russian targets such as rocket launchers and artillery are within the borders of Ukraine, suggesting that targeting those systems would be a useful way to use the guided HIMARS rockets without hitting across the border into Russia. 

“They've given us their assurances that they're not going to use these systems for striking Russian territory. And we trust the Ukrainians will live up to those assurances,” Kahl said. 

This still leaves a few unanswered questions, however, given that Russia continues to fire air and ground-based rockets and missiles from the Russian side of the border. Wouldn’t striking them arguably be defensive? Some rockets and cruise missiles can travel at ranges up to 200 to 300 miles, meaning they can attack at great standoff ranges and terrorize Ukrainian communities. Launchers for some of these systems are most likely in Russia and could arguably be considered appropriate targets for missiles defending Ukrainian territory. 

Kris Osborn is the defense editor for the National Interest. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a Highly Qualified Expert with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Master's Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University.

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