NATO members continue to step up and send Ukraine vital weapon systems to fight off the Russian invasion. The United Kingdom is one of the latest with a big military aid package to Ukraine.
The package includes dozens of heavy artillery guns and thousands of anti-tank weapons, and artillery shells, among other weapons.
Artillery, Ammunition, and Anti-Tank Weapons
– The latest U.K. package of security aid includes the following weapon systems
– More than 20 M109 155 mm howitzers
– More than 36 L119 105mm artillery guns
– More than 1,600 anti-tank weapons
– Counter-battery radar systems
– Over 50,000 rounds of ammunition
– Hundreds of tactical unmanned aerial systems
– Hundreds of loitering aerial munitions (also known as suicide drones)
Thus far, the British military has sent or committed to sending Ukraine more than 7,000 Next Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapons, FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missiles, and other anti-tank weapons, in addition to tens of thousands of artillery rounds, Stormer anti-aircraft vehicles outfitted with Starstreak ground-to-air missiles, as well as six M270B1 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS)—a more powerful version of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), and 120 armored fighting vehicles.
“The scale and range of equipment we are providing demonstrates the strength of our resolve. Together with our international partners, we will ensure Ukraine has the tools to defend their country from Putin’s illegal invasion,” British Defense Minister Ben Wallace said in a press release.
Moreover, the British military has sent or committed to sending more than 82,000 helmets, 8,450 sets of body armor, and 5,000 night vision devices.
When it comes to military aid, the U.K. is the second biggest contributor of military aid to Ukraine, with about £2.3 billion (approximately $2.6 billion) since the new Russian invasion began back on February 24.
An Institutional Commitment
The new package of military aid had been adumbrated by the British government on June 30, when 10 Downing Street had announced a further £1 billion (about $1.2 billion) in weapon system aid to Ukraine.
“Putin’s brutality continues to take Ukrainian lives and threaten peace and security across Europe. As Putin fails to make the gains he had anticipated and hoped for and the futility of this war becomes clear to all, his attacks against the Ukrainian people are increasingly barbaric,” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had said.
Johnson will soon be leaving office after his own members of parliament pushed him to resign. But the outgoing prime minister has made it clear that his successor will remain steadfast in his or her support of Ukraine and its defensive war against the Russian military.
“UK weapons, equipment and training are transforming Ukraine’s defences against this onslaught. And we will continue to stand squarely behind the Ukrainian people to ensure Putin fails in Ukraine,” the outgoing British Prime Minister had added.
1945’s New Defense and National Security Columnist, Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations, a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ), and a Johns Hopkins University graduate. His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
