US weapons already deployed in Europe for rapid delivery to Ukraine
Photo: US weapons are already in Europe for quick delivery to Ukraine (Getty Images)
Most weapons from the new U.S. aid package have already been pre-positioned in Germany and Poland. This will accelerate delivery to Ukraine, according to CNN.
The agency reported that artillery shells will be among the first items transferred to Ukraine.
Additionally, Ukraine is counting on the U.S. to provide a range of anti-aircraft missile systems and additional interceptors for the Patriot air defense system, the main means of repelling missile attacks on cities and key infrastructure objects such as power plants.
Finally, in addition to its immediate armament needs, Ukraine will likely receive longer-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) as part of the first tranche of deliveries.
The U.S. has already provided Ukraine with shorter-range ATACMS versions, but Ukrainian officials do not hide their desire to obtain a more recent version. With a range of about 300 kilometers, these missiles will enable Kyiv to enhance strikes on Russian airfields, fuel depots, and weapons storage facilities, affecting Russia's military capabilities.
As the publication notes, after crossing the border, officials in Kyiv will try to deliver weapons to where they are needed as quickly as possible, but this, as before, will be a serious logistical challenge, given the huge amount of equipment involved.
Assistance to Ukraine
The $61 billion aid bill for Ukraine, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on April 19, is now expected to reach the Senate by April 23. If the bill is approved by the upper chamber of Congress, President Joe Biden has pledged to sign it immediately so that "we can quickly send weapons and equipment to Ukraine to meet their urgent battlefield needs."
"Now that the new U.S. military aid, most likely, will be approved, the question is how quickly vital ammunition, such as shells for the 155mm howitzer, can reach the front line to halt Russia's advance", CNN writes.
Speaking last week before the House vote, Pentagon spokesperson Patrick Ryder said the U.S. Department of Defense is "prepared to respond quickly" once an order is given.
"As you know, we have a very robust logistics network that enables us to move materiel very quickly. As we've done in the past, we can move within days," he said.
According to Politico, the Biden administration is preparing a larger-than-usual military aid package to Ukraine. This package will include armored vehicles in addition to urgently needed artillery systems and air defense assets.
