US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. EPA
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. EPA
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. EPA
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. EPA

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US

Pentagon chief says US will make sure Ukraine gets arms it needs

Russia has made steady progress against Ukraine in recent months

The National

May 20, 2024

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US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Monday promised to keep weapons flowing into Ukraine “week after week” as Kyiv struggles against a renewed Russian offensive.

Mr Austin also said it was vital that Ukraine's air defences be bolstered to help fend off Russian attacks.

Moscow has in recent weeks focused its attacks on north-east Ukraine, launching new assaults in the Kharkiv region.

Mr Austin and about 50 defence leaders from around the world met online on Monday to co-ordinate more military aid to Ukraine as it tries to hold off Russia's advances while conducting its own offensive in the occupied Crimean Peninsula.

“We're meeting in a moment of challenge,” he told colleagues.

He told reporters after the meeting: “We’ll continue to push to ensure that Ukraine owns its skies and can defend its citizens and its civilian infrastructure far from the front lines.”

The Ukrainian military has suffered setbacks in recent months, partly due to the US Congress delaying funding and equipment.

Ukraine has struggled to get enough troops to the front lines as the war drags on into its third year and fighting takes its toll.

In the four weeks since US President Joe Biden signed the $95 billion foreign aid package, which included about $61 billion for Ukraine, the US has sent $1.4 billion in weapons pulled from Pentagon stockpiles and announced it was providing $6 billion in funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.

In recent packages, the US has agreed to send High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (Himars) and rockets for them, as well as munitions for Patriot and National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, artillery, anti-aircraft and anti-tank munitions, and armoured vehicles, such as Bradley and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles.

The US has now provided about $50.6 billion in military assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.

Air defence: Ukraine’s air defence largely depends on the Patriot system. AFP
Air defence: Ukraine’s air defence largely depends on the Patriot system. AFP
Air: Stinger short-range surface-to-air missile. Reuters
Air: Stinger short-range surface-to-air missile. Reuters
Air: Aim-120 air-to-air missiles. More than 14,000 of the missiles, that have a range exceeding 120km, have been produced with their accuracy so good that they have been nicknamed “Slammer”. Getty Images
Air: Aim-120 air-to-air missiles. More than 14,000 of the missiles, that have a range exceeding 120km, have been produced with their accuracy so good that they have been nicknamed “Slammer”. Getty Images
Air: F-16s will provide greater surveillance and the ability to attack high-value targets behind Russian lines in occupied Ukraine. EPA
Air: F-16s will provide greater surveillance and the ability to attack high-value targets behind Russian lines in occupied Ukraine. EPA
Armour: Bradley IFV. The Ukrainians have found the Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, with its 25mm cannon, very useful in protecting troops and providing decent firepower. Bloomberg
Armour: Bradley IFV. The Ukrainians have found the Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, with its 25mm cannon, very useful in protecting troops and providing decent firepower. Bloomberg
Armour: M113. The 1960s-designed versatile M113 armoured personnel carrier has proven effective in protecting troops against minefields. Getty Images
Armour: M113. The 1960s-designed versatile M113 armoured personnel carrier has proven effective in protecting troops against minefields. Getty Images
Artillery: 155mm artillery rounds. A massive delivery of 155mm rounds could prove crucial in preventing further Russian advances, particularly in its expected summer offensive. AFP
Artillery: 155mm artillery rounds. A massive delivery of 155mm rounds could prove crucial in preventing further Russian advances, particularly in its expected summer offensive. AFP
Artillery: ATACMs long-range precision missiles. The ATACMS have a range of 300km with the ability to land within a few metres of a target. Getty Images
Artillery: ATACMs long-range precision missiles. The ATACMS have a range of 300km with the ability to land within a few metres of a target. Getty Images
Artillery: Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB). It can be fired from the HIMARS system. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Artillery: Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB). It can be fired from the HIMARS system. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Artillery: M777 guns and replacement barrels. The Ukrainians need many M777 howitzer barrels to replace those worn down by extensive use. Getty Images
Artillery: M777 guns and replacement barrels. The Ukrainians need many M777 howitzer barrels to replace those worn down by extensive use. Getty Images
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Updated: May 20, 2024, 7:23 PM
DefenceUkraine