American aid package boosts Ukraine's defense with patriot system
Americans have announced another $225 million support package for Ukraine, which includes a Patriot system battery, NASAMS missiles, and artillery ammunition. Here’s what the Ukrainians will receive.
12:44 PM EDT, July 12, 2024
Aid for Ukraine was one of the main topics during the 75th NATO summit, and after collective declarations of support, it was time for implementation. In the case of the Americans, the new tranche of support includes a battery of the Patriot system, which, along with units from Germany, the Netherlands, and Romania and the SAMP/T system from Italy, will significantly enhance the capabilities of Ukrainian air and missile defense.
Furthermore, Americans have provided Ukraine with FIM-92 Stinger systems, NASAMS missiles, artillery ammunition for 105 mm and 155 mm gun systems, and M142 HIMARS rocket systems.
Air Defense - without it, there is no chance to defend Ukraine
The Patriot system battery is the only system, beyond SAMP/T, capable of combating Russian ballistic missiles from the Iskander-M family or hypersonic Kh-47M2 Kinzhal at about 25 miles from the launcher. Protecting infrastructure such as power plants from this type of weapon requires a substantial number of systems.
It is also the only means to combat Russian aircraft, such as the Tu-22M3, from over 60 miles away. These aircraft can drop up to 6,600-pound glide bombs from high altitudes, possibly destroying even the most formidable fortifications.
Meanwhile, NASAMS or FIM-92 Stinger systems are needed not only in front-line regions but also deep within Ukrainian territory to hunt low-flying cruise missiles such as the 3M14 Kalibr or Kh-101.
Artillery shells and rockets for HIMARS - a nightmare for Russians in the rear
Due to the positional nature of the combat, artillery enabling the shelling of enemy positions, logistics in the rear, or assault groups long before they reach the fortifications of the opposing side is the most crucial means of combat. This results in Ukrainians using several thousand shells or several hundred GMLRS rockets over a few days, as seen north of Kharkiv.
The basic variants for 105 mm shells range about 7 or 9 miles for rocket-boosted variants. The 2-CT Hawkeye is used with lightweight howitzers mounted even on HMMWV trucks.
Meanwhile, for 155 mm shells, a mix of the simplest M107 or M795 rounds, their slightly more expensive variants with a gas generator, and M549A1 rocket-assisted projectiles will be provided. Previously, guided M982 Excalibur shells were also sent to Ukraine, but they quickly became useless once electronic warfare systems disrupting satellite navigation became widespread.
These shells—introduced in the 1950s and 1990s—were initially cheap designs, consisting basically of a cast steel casing filled with 15 pounds or 24 pounds of TNT and a simple impact fuse.
These shells provide a maximum range of about 19 miles for artillery systems with a 52-caliber barrel length, such as Caesar or PzH 2000, or 14 miles for systems with a 39-caliber barrel length, such as M777. Then, we have M795E1 rounds with a gas generator that increases the range by about 30%.
The last type is the M549A1 round. Due to the necessity of including a rocket motor with propellant in the shell, the TNT charge is reduced to 15 pounds, but the range is drastically increased. For 52-caliber guns, this is up to 37 miles, and for 39-caliber guns, it is 19 miles.
Sufficient supplies of this type of ammunition will determine whether Ukrainians can hold out despite the Russians' numerical superiority. America has been its largest supplier, and it is unknown if this will remain after this year's presidential elections.
