What a $61 billion increase in US assistance to Ukraine may signify
The US Senate has approved a $61 billion military assistance package for Ukraine, and it is now on President Joe Biden's desk to become law. What kind of weaponry would Ukraine acquire, and how would it affect their efforts to halt Russian aggression?
Three types of weapons are the most urgently required by Ukraine: artillery rounds, mid- to long-range missiles, and air defense systems. This is the potential allocation of US help in certain sectors.
air defense
It is imperative to thwart the Russian menace aerially to safeguard urban areas and important infrastructure, including power plants.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, said last week that his nation has already seen attacks from 8,500 guided bombs, more than 1,500 drones, and over 1,200 Russian missiles this year alone.
NATO promises Ukraine more sophisticated air defenses.
BBC confirms 50,000 Russian troops are dead.
From shoulder-launched Stinger short-range missiles to the sophisticated and very costly Patriot system, Ukraine has access to a wide spectrum of equipment provided by the West. Zelensky said that the Patriots required at least seven new members, or their equal.
Due to their sheer quantity, Russia's cruise and ballistic missiles, which include modified S-300 and S-400 surface-to-air missiles, as well as hundreds of drones built in Iran called Shahed-136s, are hard to counter.
Overloading air defenses with targets is a tried-and-true method of destroying missile stockpiles and using up their tracking and acquisition radar systems.
long- to medium-range missiles
However, the ground struggle is essential. Due mostly to a shortage of weaponry, Russia has taken over about 583 square kilometers (225 square miles) of Ukraine's eastern region since October.
By supplying guided ammunition from a transportable platform, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) have been very important to Ukraine.
Before Russian soldiers can find and strike the launcher, go there, set up, fire, and leave fast. Anticipate more HIMARS capabilities in Ukraine as well as a possible pledge for additional Bradley infantry combat vehicles and tanks.
Notably, the US Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) long-range variant has just reached Ukraine.
Although the government has been using older ATACMS devices since late last year, the more recent model can increase ranges to 300 km (186 miles). It advances the conflict further into Crimea, which Russia has occupied and utilizes as a significant naval base under air defense.
artillery rounds
Not to mention simple weapons like bread and butter. 155mm artillery rounds are the constant food source for M777 howitzers.
Since February 2022, the US has sent 2,000,000 of these shells to Ukraine, and this most recent shipment probably contains more.
The US claims to have a "very robust logistics network" that allows it to deliver weapons there in a matter of days.
It's conceivable that supplies have been relocated closer to Ukraine; once they're turned over, they formally belong to Ukraine.
However, since Russian troops are still hammering the east, it may take many days or perhaps weeks to bring the supplies to the front lines, especially the artillery equipment.
Russia said last week that it will step up its attacks on warehouses and logistical centers that house Western weaponry.
...and F-16 combat aircraft
These are noteworthy today because they are almost ready to be put into service, but they date back before this funding tranche.
Currently in Romania, Ukrainian crews and pilots are undergoing conversion training to fly F-16s. The enhanced air-to-ground and air-to-air capabilities of this multirole aircraft might strengthen Ukraine's air defenses.
Within months, the US, the Netherlands, and Denmark plan to ship the first of several "Vipers" to Ukraine. The jets are another important arrow in Kyiv's quiver, but they won't transform the game.
Moscow has responded dismissively, claiming that Russian soldiers would shoot down the F-16s and that they wouldn't really have much of an impact on the battlefield.
