Europe steps up: Cutting-edge arsenal boosts Ukraine's defense
Although the Americans are the largest suppliers of military equipment to Ukraine, providing weapons valued at 63 billion euros, they have not supplied any modern weaponry. Ukraine is receiving much more advanced equipment from European countries. Here are some of the most noteworthy examples of equipment, where deliveries must significantly increase in the coming months.
European countries are offering the latest technologies on the front, having collectively delivered equipment worth approximately 64 billion euros (according to data from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy). These deliveries, although smaller in quantity compared to those from the U.S., include a lot of experimental equipment not found in American supplies. One major advantage of U.S. supplies was the volume, such as millions of artillery shells for Ukraine, while Europe initially delivered only hundreds of thousands.
However, the U.S. sent older weapons to the Ukrainians. Meanwhile, the European aid packages included innovations certified as recently as 2022. The Americans took the opportunity to dispose of surplus MRAP vehicles, reminiscent of times in Iraq and Afghanistan. Of course, it should not be forgotten that all help is vital for Ukraine, regardless of its origin.
European countries, especially those on NATO's eastern flank, have also handed over to Ukraine most of the older Soviet-era weapons. Meanwhile, countries in the western part of the EU, in addition to Leopard 2 tanks in newer versions, have also delivered old Leopard 1A5s.
Anti-tank tools and artillery from Europe
Nevertheless, the war in Ukraine has also become a testing ground for modern European weapons, allowing for the testing and promotion of new solutions. In the fight against Russian armoured equipment, American Javelins, British NLAW systems, French Akeron MP, and German RGW90 grenade launchers have also proved effective.
The second equipment category includes French self-directing Bonus artillery projectiles and German SMArt 155, which transform artillery into precise tank destroyers. They contain two smaller projectiles with sensors, which, once released over a given area, independently search for and target enemy tanks or self-propelled howitzers.
Along with them, Ukraine has received 155 mm calibre artillery systems with 52-calibre barrels, such as the Polish Krab, German PzH 2000, French Caesar, Slovakian Zuzana 2, and Swedish Archer. All these systems offer a better range compared to American solutions.
Each of these self-propelled howitzers offers a range of about 30 kilometres using standard ammunition or up to about 60 kilometres when using rockets with a booster. They can also fire American M982 Excalibur guided projectiles, but those have proven susceptible to Russian GPS jamming. It is worth noting that the Italian-German Vulcano GLR delivered to Ukraine can operate under such conditions, and the weapon simultaneously offers a more excellent range of up to 80 kilometres with slightly less strike force.
Western anti-aircraft systems in Ukraine — not only from the USA
The majority of the currently supplied medium-range anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine are American Patriots, but Europe has also provided its two SAMP/T batteries, which are of the same class. It is worth noting that the USA did not send most Patriots, although Americans are the main manufacturers of the missiles for these systems. The situation is expected to change in the coming years when missiles for this system start being produced in Europe.
The situation looks better for shorter-range systems. Here we have NASAMS capable of using different types of missiles or European-developed systems like IRIS-T SLM and SLS. The Old Continent is also an important player in the production of handheld anti-aircraft systems, as the Polish Piorun, British Martlet, Swedish RBS-70 NG, or French Mistral-3 offer better parameters than the American FIM-92 Stingers.
The problem is not the availability of European weapon systems but their insufficient production capacity, which has significantly increased in recent years.
