US to send air defense systems, rockets, long-range fires capability to Ukraine

Europe, News, US February 8, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

The U.S. Department of Defense announced that the United States would send air defense systems, rockets, additional ammunition, and long-range fire capability in its new security assistance package for Ukraine.

According to the Department of Defense, the new package includes “the authorization of a presidential drawdown of security assistance, valued at up to $425 million, as well as $1.75 billion in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funds”.

Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brigadier General Pat Ryder said during a media briefing on February 3, that the U.S. is committed to sending “critical air defense capabilities to help Ukraine” to defend its people and provide “armored infantry vehicles and more equipment” that Ukraine is using so effectively.

Ryder added that “Everyone continues to watch with horror as Russia conducts aerial bombardment on civilian targets throughout Ukraine.” He noted that Ukraine is “doing a remarkable job of intercepting Russian drones and missiles”, and the latest package for Ukraine that includes air defense will further help address this issue.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Ryder said, “We’ve been focused on several key areas in the last few months to support Ukraine, specifically air defense capabilities, armor capabilities, long-range fires capabilities, and then combined with training in order to enable them to have the ability to conduct combined arms operations.”

Under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, The U.S. Department of Defense will provide Ukraine with Two HAWK air defense firing units, anti-aircraft guns, and ammunition, Puma unmanned aerial systems, precision-guided rockets, equipment to integrate western air defense launchers, missiles, and radars with Ukraine’s air defense systems.

*^{HIMARS missile system in Poland. (Image Credit: U.S. Army/Markus Rauchenberger)}*

The U.S. would also provide equipment to sustain Ukraine’s existing air defense capabilities, air defense generators, counter-unmanned aerial systems, four air surveillance radars, 20 counter-mortar radars, spare parts for counter-artillery radars, secure communications equipment, additional medical supplies, as well as funding for training, maintenance, and sustainment.

The latest U.S. defense package for Ukraine also includes:

Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems;
Additional 155 mm artillery rounds;
Additional 120 mm mortar rounds;
190 heavy machine guns with thermal imagery sights and associated ammunition to counter unmanned aerial systems;
181 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles;
250 Javelin anti-armor systems;
2,000 anti-armor rockets;
Claymore anti-personnel munitions;
Demolitions munitions;
Cold weather gear, helmets, and other field equipment.

Last month, the U.S. announced that it is providing Ukraine with National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, eight Avenger air-defense systems, and combat vehicles to fight the Russian forces.

In addition, U.S. President Biden also approved 31 M1 Abrams tanks for Ukraine, the equivalent of one Ukrainian battalion, as well as training, maintenance, and sustainment support.