Ukraine is receiving more ammunition for HIMARS from the US. (Photo: Ukrainian MoD)
The State Department on 14 October announced its 23rd drawdown on the extensive US military aid package to Ukraine.
In the latest $725 million instalment, Ukraine will receive additional GMLRS rounds for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) plus 155mm ammunition and M67 gunlaying systems.
Other equipment includes HMMWVs, undefined ‘antitank weapons’, and machine guns and ammunition.
However, Ukraine is demanding more Western assistance in the form of air defence systems as Russia steps up its bombardment of civilian targets with long-range missiles and attack drones.
A State Department spokesperson insisted that air defence remains a US ‘priority’ for Ukraine, and the official noted the transfer to date of more than 1,400 FIM-92 Stinger MANPADS ‘as well as air surveillance and multi-mission radars’.
The US has also assisted NATO allies such as Slovakia in transferring Soviet-era air defence systems to Ukraine.
Of arguably the greatest significance for Ukraine is the US order for eight new National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), which will fire AMRAAMs donated by the UK.
The NASAMS will be manufactured and delivered to Ukraine ‘as quickly as possible’, the State Department spokesperson said.
Other air defence assistance recently announced for Ukraine includes an IRIS-T system from Germany and Hawk launchers from Spain.
The initial document focused more on creating the right partnerships and inspiring investment in defence than on any details of how future UK Armed Forces would be armed.
The first stage of developing a new UK Defence Industrial Strategy has highlighted failings in current structures with solutions expected to be proposed in next year’s full strategy.
Romania joined NATO more than two decades ago and the country is vital to the alliance’s geographic reach and its ability to supply Ukraine with weapons.
Although Trump’s geopolitics policy for Europe remains unclear, defence analysts from the US and Europe predict how his incoming administration would attempt to handle critical issues on the continent.
The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October was the first by a Labour government in 14 years which has also launched a review into defence procurement programmes.
The Australian government has placed a focus on Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) which has included the purchase of additional long-range rocket systems and investments in local production of missiles.
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