Ukraine's crucial arms list: West's support may not be enough

The West is continually supporting Ukraine in its defensive and offensive efforts. Over 1 million artillery shells from the Czech Republic were recently sent to the front. Various countries are also sending additional combat equipment, including Spain, which recently delivered Leopard 2A4 tanks.

It's also significant that the USA has decided to give Ukraine priority in the supply of ammunition for Patriot systems and F-16 fighters (AIM-120 AMRAAM). Analysts believe that within the next 16 months, Ukraine will receive at least 1,500 advanced missiles from the USA for some of the most valuable complexes at the front—namely, the Patriots and F-16 planes.

However, it appears that Western support may still be insufficient. Without the appropriate weapons, Ukraine will not win the war against Russia in the next five years. As noted by Gen. Leon Komornicki, Kyiv has a chance to resist the Russian Federation and defeat the aggressor but only if the equipment supply is increased.

Komornicki specifically lists the weapons the Ukrainian armed forces need to win the conflict with the Russian Federation. According to the Polish general, the most crucial items are "hundreds of HIMARS missile systems and long-range ATACMS missiles". However, that's not all. Komornicki also highlights much more equipment needed by Ukrainians, including:

• more than 150 F-16 aircraft or equivalents equipped with hundreds of JASSM missiles;
• more than a thousand long-range kamikaze drones;
• 3 million 6-inch artillery shells;
• 25 Patriot batteries;
• 500 tanks;
• 3,000 infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers;
• 1,200 6-inch artillery systems.

The general from Poland does not specify the exact types of tanks, artillery, or infantry fighting vehicles that Ukraine needs. He primarily mentions the valuable F-16 fighters and Patriot complexes by name. This is also not the first time an expert discussing F-16s has emphasized the number of machines needed by Ukrainians. Analysts have often stressed that Kyiv should receive at least 120 units of American fighters.

Recall that F-16s are capable of reaching speeds of about 2 Mach (around 1,500 mph) and can carry armaments on nine mounts. In the air, they are also characterized by high maneuverability, which is significant for increasing pilot survivability.

Meanwhile, the Patriot systems, whose necessity for front-line deployment Komornicki also pointed out, are designed to combat any aerial threat. They can eliminate helicopters, airplanes, UAVs, and ballistic and cruise missiles. A missile launched from a Patriot launcher reaches an altitude of 15.5 miles and a distance of around 100 miles. At the same time, it accelerates to a speed of 5 Mach, which is over 3,800 mph.