To sustain its counteroffensive and fend off persistent Russian counterattacks, the Ukrainian military needs weapons and ammunition. And over the past couple of weeks, Ukraine’s three major supporters have stepped up to send Kyiv much-needed military aid.
ATACMS and Some Change
By far the most important weapon Ukraine has received recently is the MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS. The White House decided to send a small number of ATACMS to Kyiv to improve Ukraine’s long-range fires capabilities.
The Ukrainians have already used the ATACMS, destroying several Russian attack and transport helicopters and damaging two tactical airfields. With a range of just over 100 miles, ATACMS can reach Russian targets in occupied Ukraine that were out of range before. The U.S. has sent a limited number of ATACMS to Kyiv — around 20 munitions — and has placed considerable restrictions on their use. For example, the Ukrainian military is restricted from using ATACMS against targets within Russia.
In addition to the ATACMS, the U.S. sent Ukraine a security aid package worth around $200 million. The package included AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles for air defense; counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems equipment; munitions for the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS; 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds; precision aerial munitions; electronic warfare equipment; Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles; AT-4 anti-armor systems, and demolition munitions for obstacle clearing. It also included spare parts, training munitions, maintenance, and other field equipment.
The latest package of U.S. military aid to Ukraine included more than 16 million rounds of small arms ammunition. The Pentagon has sent Kyiv over 316 million bullets and grenades since the Russian invasion began 20 months ago.
European Military Aid
Germany and the United Kingdom also sent significant packages of military aid to Ukraine in the past couple of weeks.
The German military sent its Ukrainian counterpart a MIM-104 Patriot air defense system (including a command-and-control unit, radar, and eight launchers with over 60 anti-aircraft missiles); an IRIS-T air defense system; three Gepard short-range air defense systems; tactical and medical transport vehicles, and 10 Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks.
Berlin is now the second biggest contributor of military aid to Ukraine, surpassing the UK.
But London continues to send important help to Ukraine. Its latest package included weapons systems, munitions, and logistical support worth about $120 million.
The British package included explosive ordnance disposal gear to clear minefields and obstacles, as well as an MSI-DS Terrahawk Paladin counter-drone system that can track and destroy loitering munitions and other unmanned aerial systems.
A common theme is air defense. Ukraine’s allies are working hard to secure Ukraine’s skies by providing advanced radars and air defense systems such as the MIM-104 Patriot, IRIS-T, and National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, or NASAMS.
A 19FortyFive Defense and National Security Columnist, Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University, an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and is pursuing a J.D. at Boston College Law School. His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
