US sends 500 missiles to bolster Ukraine's air defenses
The American Department of Defense has decided to supply Ukraine with over 500 interceptor missiles for Patriot and NASAMS air defense systems. According to the "Wall Street Journal," these missiles are expected to arrive in the coming weeks and meet Ukraine's air defense needs through the end of this year.
Over 500 interceptor missiles for the Patriot missile defense system and the NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) are expected to arrive in Ukraine soon.
On Friday, the American administration also announced it will send a "small number of contractors" to Ukraine, who will assist in the repair and maintenance of F-16 aircraft and other military systems. These contractors are expected to arrive in the coming months and will work away from the frontline. "Ensuring these weapon systems remain mission capable is critical for Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression," emphasized the Pentagon.
The "Wall Street Journal," citing U.S. government officials, reported that the Pentagon, concerned about its stockpile levels, is also considering purchasing armaments from other countries.
Despite Kyiv's insistence, the Pentagon remains reluctant to provide Ukraine with additional Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) with a range of up to 200 miles. The U.S. claims that these would enable attacks on territories behind the Russian front lines. They also note that Russia has relocated its aircraft and valuable targets from their range.
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin has rejected President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent request to prioritize ATACMS deliveries to Ukraine, calling it "a lot to ask." A new version of this weaponry, the Precision Strike Missile, is in production, but it will take years to produce enough to replace ATACMS.
Citing American officials, the newspaper notes that the U.S. administration is asking allies to supply Ukraine with missiles from their reserves. It also highlights that the election of Donald Trump as president previously disrupted the United States' campaign to support Ukraine.
According to the "Wall Street Journal," authorization to reduce stockpiles by over $7 billion, allowing the Pentagon to provide arms and ammunition to Ukraine, has still not been fully utilized. Additionally, over $2 billion allocated for funding long-term contracts for equipment for Kyiv has not been used.
