![](https://i.imgur.com/CLvY2jA.png")
25-04-2024, 05:15 PM
President Joe Biden's desk to be signed into law. So what weapons might Ukraine receive & what difference could they make in trying to stem Russian advances?.
Most pressing weaponry needed falls into 3 categories: Here is where US aid could go in these areas.1) air defence systems, 2) mid to long-range missiles and 3) artillery shells
Air defence -- Repelling Russian threat from skies is vital for protection of cities & critical infrastructure such as energy plants.
Last week Ukrainian President Zelensky said his country had been attacked almost 1,200 Russian missiles, more than 1,500 drones & 8,500 guided bombs this year alone.
Noted: Nato pledges more advanced air defences to Ukraine. 50,000 Russian soldiers confirmed dead by BBC
Ukraine has western-supplied systems ranging from shoulder-launched Stinger short range missiles & all the way up to the advanced & extremely expensive - Patriot system. Zelensky said at least seven more Patriots, or their equivalent, were needed.
Russia's cruise & ballistic missiles, including converted S-300 & S-400 surface to air missiles with hundreds of Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones are difficult to counter b'cos of sheer volumes launched.
A classic tactic to overwhelm air defences is to swamp them with targets, thereby occupying their acquisition and tracking radar systems and depleting missile stocks.
Mid to long-range missiles
War lose on the ground, since Oct. Ukraine has lost nearly 583 square kilometres (225 square miles) in east territory to Russian because of a lack of artillery. High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) played a crucial role by delivering guided munitions from mobile platform.
Once arrive at local stn, set-up & fire quickly move on b4 Russian forces locate & attack. US this time is expecting more HIMARS coming to Ukraine perhaps commitment to more tanks & Bradley infantry fighting vehicles too.
Significantly, long-range version of US Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) has recently arrived in Ukraine. Older ATACMS systems have been in the country since late last year, but newer version double ranges to 300km (186 miles), can takes fight deep into annexed Crimea, Russia uses as major naval base & protected by air.
Artillery shells
And let's not forget bread-and-butter weapons. M777 howitzers need to be fed a continuous diet of 155mm artillery shells. US has sent 2,000,000 such shells to Ukraine since February 2022 & more will likely be sent in this latest package.
...and F-16 fighter jets
These pre-date this tranche of cash are notable now because they are close to coming into service. Ukrainian pilot & crews continue conversion training western F-16 jets, in Romania. These multi-role aircraft provide a stronger air-to-air & air-to-ground capability, thereby potentially improving Ukrainian air defences. Denmark, the Netherlands and the US expect to deliver the first of dozens of "Vipers" to Ukraine within months. Jets won't be a game-changer, but another significant arrow in the quiver for Kyiv.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68872783
Most pressing weaponry needed falls into 3 categories: Here is where US aid could go in these areas.1) air defence systems, 2) mid to long-range missiles and 3) artillery shells
Air defence -- Repelling Russian threat from skies is vital for protection of cities & critical infrastructure such as energy plants.
Last week Ukrainian President Zelensky said his country had been attacked almost 1,200 Russian missiles, more than 1,500 drones & 8,500 guided bombs this year alone.
Noted: Nato pledges more advanced air defences to Ukraine. 50,000 Russian soldiers confirmed dead by BBC
Ukraine has western-supplied systems ranging from shoulder-launched Stinger short range missiles & all the way up to the advanced & extremely expensive - Patriot system. Zelensky said at least seven more Patriots, or their equivalent, were needed.
Russia's cruise & ballistic missiles, including converted S-300 & S-400 surface to air missiles with hundreds of Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones are difficult to counter b'cos of sheer volumes launched.
A classic tactic to overwhelm air defences is to swamp them with targets, thereby occupying their acquisition and tracking radar systems and depleting missile stocks.
Mid to long-range missiles
War lose on the ground, since Oct. Ukraine has lost nearly 583 square kilometres (225 square miles) in east territory to Russian because of a lack of artillery. High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) played a crucial role by delivering guided munitions from mobile platform.
Once arrive at local stn, set-up & fire quickly move on b4 Russian forces locate & attack. US this time is expecting more HIMARS coming to Ukraine perhaps commitment to more tanks & Bradley infantry fighting vehicles too.
Significantly, long-range version of US Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) has recently arrived in Ukraine. Older ATACMS systems have been in the country since late last year, but newer version double ranges to 300km (186 miles), can takes fight deep into annexed Crimea, Russia uses as major naval base & protected by air.
Artillery shells
And let's not forget bread-and-butter weapons. M777 howitzers need to be fed a continuous diet of 155mm artillery shells. US has sent 2,000,000 such shells to Ukraine since February 2022 & more will likely be sent in this latest package.
...and F-16 fighter jets
These pre-date this tranche of cash are notable now because they are close to coming into service. Ukrainian pilot & crews continue conversion training western F-16 jets, in Romania. These multi-role aircraft provide a stronger air-to-air & air-to-ground capability, thereby potentially improving Ukrainian air defences. Denmark, the Netherlands and the US expect to deliver the first of dozens of "Vipers" to Ukraine within months. Jets won't be a game-changer, but another significant arrow in the quiver for Kyiv.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68872783
