US bolsters Ukraine's defenses with 500 interceptor missiles
The US Department of Defense has decided to supply Ukraine with over 500 interceptor missiles for the Patriot and NASAMS air defence systems. According to the Wall Street Journal, they are expected to arrive in the coming weeks and meet Ukraine's air defence needs through the end of this year.
Over 500 interceptor missiles for the Patriot missile defence system and the NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) are expected to arrive in Ukraine soon.
On Friday, the US administration also announced it will send a "small number of contractors" to Ukraine to help repair and maintain F-16 aircraft and other military systems. They 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 defence against Russian aggression," emphasised the Pentagon.
The "Wall Street Journal," citing US 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) ranging from up to 320 kilometres. The US 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 prioritise 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 US 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," authorisation to reduce stockpiles by over £5.5 billion, allowing the Pentagon to provide arms and ammunition to Ukraine, has still not been fully utilised. Additionally, over £1.5 billion allocated for funding long-term contracts for equipment for Kyiv has not been used.
