China News Service, December 6 (Xinhua) According to US media citing US officials on the 6th, the United States secretly modified the Advanced High Mobility Rocket System (Himars) launcher provided to Ukraine so that it cannot be used to launch long-range missiles towards Russia.
The Biden administration says this precaution is necessary to reduce military risks with Russia.
The Wall Street Journal of the United States stated that since June this year, the United States has provided the Ukrainian army with 20 sets of Himars launchers, as well as a large number of satellite-guided rockets with a range of nearly 50 miles.
The rockets, known as the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), have been used to strike Russian ammunition depots, logistics supplies and command centers on Ukrainian soil.
But the Himars launcher has a unique feature designed to prevent it from becoming a more powerful battlefield system.
The Pentagon has modified the launchers so they cannot fire long-range missiles, U.S. officials said.
According to the analysis, this previously undisclosed modification shows the efforts of the Biden administration to balance its support for the Ukrainian military with the risk of escalating tensions with Moscow.
It also reflects concerns among administration officials that Ukraine may no longer abide by its pledge not to strike Russian territory with U.S.-supplied weapons.