Features: Flood of Weapons for Ukraine, Signals the Conflict is Increasingly Fiery
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1. Western Weapons for Ukraine, from Missiles to Main Battle Tanks
Almost a year after being attacked by Russia, until now Ukraine is still surviving. This cannot be separated from the various assistance provided by the West to the country that was once part of the Soviet Union.
As is known, Western countries not only provide financial support, but also supply various military weapons to Ukraine. In fact, recently the West's commitment to arm Kiev has become stronger with the promise of heavy weapons for Ukraine.
The following are a number of military weapons that the West has given and promised to Ukraine:
1. Stryker
Stryker is an armored vehicle from the United States. Quoting the New York Times page, Friday (27/1/2023), around 90 Strykers will also be sent to Ukraine along with a number of other weapons as part of an arms aid package worth USD 2.5 billion.
One of the US's flagship armored vehicles, the Stryker has around 18 different variants. Some of them function to transport infantry soldiers in and out of battle, while others can also be used to carry weapons such as 120mm mortars. Stryker was deployed to combat in Iraq in 2003.
2.Bradley
Just like Stryker, this US armored vehicle was also sent to Ukraine. Quoting the Insider page, this combat vehicle is capable of transporting troops on the battlefield and supporting attacks through fire.
This combat vehicle, which has an operational range of up to 300 miles and a speed of more than 40 miles per hour, is more accurately called a tank destroyer because it has capable shooting capabilities.
3. Starstreak, S-300 and IRIS-T
Not only the US, Britain also provided sophisticated weapons to Ukraine. One of them is his flagship air defense system called Starstreak.
Quoting the Euronews page, this portable air defense system is used to avoid air threats such as helicopter attacks or the like. Its use is very flexible and can adapt to different battlefield situations. Defense News calls Starstreak the world's fastest short-range air missile.
Ukraine also acquired other advanced air defense systems. Among them are the S-300 from Slovakia and the IRIS-T SLM from Germany.
4. HIMARS
HIMARS is one of the most advanced rocket artillery systems in the world. Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, HIMARS is very effective when used to attack targets in concentrated areas.
Quoting the Times page, this satellite-guided rocket from the US has a range of up to 50 miles. The presence of HIMARS in Ukraine caused major damage to the Russian military. America has so far supplied around 20 HIMARS units to Ukraine.
5. Challenger 2
Challenger 2 is a British main battle tank. Quoting Reuters, this tank has been in service with the British Army since 1994. Equipped with a 120 mm L30A1 cannon, this tank's main weapon is claimed to be able to penetrate armor at a distance of 6,300 m. Around 14 Challenger 2 tanks are said to be arriving in Ukraine soon to support the war against Russia.
6. M1 Abrams
No less than Britain, the US will send its main battle tank, the M1 Abrams. Quoting the Guardian page, some time ago US President Joe Biden approved the delivery of 31 Abrams tanks to Kiev.
Not only is it equipped with a 120 mm main gun, this American flagship tank is claimed to have high endurance, agile maneuverability and various other advanced features.
7. Leopard 2
After tug-of-war, Germany finally agreed to send its main battle tank, the Leopard 2, to Ukraine. Apart from having great destructive power, this tank also offers protection against armor-piercing bullets and anti-tank guided weapons.
Apart from these weapons systems, since the beginning of the conflict Ukraine has also received various military equipment assistance, ranging from drones, heavy artillery such as Howitzers, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, Javelin anti-tank missiles, Mi-17 helicopters, radar systems, ammunition and equipment. self-protection.
2. West to send more than 300 tanks, a serious threat to Russia?
Western countries committed to sending more than 300 tanks to Ukraine. This claim was made by the Ukrainian Ambassador to France Vadym Omelchenko.
"As of today, many countries have officially confirmed their agreement to send 321 heavy tanks to Ukraine," Omelchenko told French TV station and CNN-affiliated BFM television as reported by CNN, Saturday (28/1/2023).
Omelchenko's claim came after the United States (US) promised to provide 31 M1 Abrams tanks and Germany agreed to send 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks. Meanwhile, Britain had previously promised 14 Challenger 2 tanks. Poland is also known to have asked Germany for approval to transfer several Leopard 2s to Ukraine.
However, when the tanks will arrive in Ukraine is still unclear. Omelchenko said delivery dates will vary depending on the type of tank and country of origin. However, Omelchenko said that Ukraine needed such assistance as quickly as possible.
"If you have to wait until August or September, it will be too late," he said. After America's HIMARS rocket system, military experts say the tank will be the most powerful direct offensive weapon the West has provided to Ukraine so far.
Military experts previously told CNN that the extra tanks could make a difference in the war. Meanwhile, some analysts say that the new tank will not be the instant war-changer some hope.
3. Poland Ready to Send F-16 Fighter Jets to Ukraine
Not stopping at just getting the main fighter, Ukraine is calling for the formation of a "Fighter Jet Coalition" with the mission of supplying Kiev with NATO's most advanced fighter jets to fight Russia.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Melnyk said, this "Fighter Jet Coalition" is expected to provide Ukraine with United States (US) F-35 and F-16 stealth fighter jets, British Eurofighter aircraft, German Tornado fighter jets, French Rafale fighter jets, and Swedish Gripen fighter jet.
Responding to this "request", Polish Prime Minister (PM) Mateusz Morawiecki in a press conference on Monday (30/1/2023) stated that his country was ready to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. However, it must be part of a coordinated effort with other NATO partners.
Morawiecki said Warsaw was coordinating all actions related to strengthening Kiev's defense capabilities with its NATO partners, especially with the United States (US). "And as happened a few months ago with the MiG-29 aircraft, the assistance of other aircraft will be coordinated, implemented and, possibly, transferred together with other NATO member countries. We will act in full coordination here," said Morawiecki.
This statement came after Polish media reported last week that Warsaw had allegedly sent a number of MiG-29s to Ukraine in March 2022, disguising them as spare parts.
The US and its allies have refused to provide military aircraft to Kiev, considering the step "going too far". Since Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine in late February last year, Washington has become one of the main suppliers of military aid to Kiev and spent tens of billions of dollars on a variety of military equipment.
However, the US is hesitant to provide advanced weapons such as modern warplanes, fearing they could be used to attack Russian territory and ultimately lead to direct confrontation between Moscow and NATO.
But on Saturday, it emerged that a number of US military officials had "quietly encouraged" the Department of Defense to green light the delivery of F-16s to Kiev. As reported by Politico, several sources in the Pentagon claim these efforts are now "gaining momentum" after Washington agreed to send Patriot tanks and systems.
Elsewhere, Russia has repeatedly warned the West against supplying weapons to Ukraine, arguing that it would only prolong the conflict. Last week, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said the arms shipments were proof that Western countries were directly involved in the dispute between Moscow and Kiev.
4. US Reportedly Ready to Supply Long-Range Missiles to Ukraine
The United States (US) has prepared military assistance worth more than USD 2 billion for Ukraine. The aid was for the first time reported to include long-range missiles as well as ammunition and other weapons.
This was revealed by two US officials to Reuters. "The aid is expected to be announced as soon as this week," officials said. "(The aid) is also expected to include support equipment for the Patriot air defense system, precision-guided munitions and Javelin anti-tank weapons," they added as quoted by Reuters, Wednesday (1/2/2023).
One of the officials said part of the package, estimated at $1.725 billion, would come from a fund known as the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which allows President Joe Biden's administration to obtain weapons from industry, rather than from US arms stockpiles.
USAI funds will be used to purchase a new weapon, the Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) made by Boeing, which has a range of 150 km. The US had previously rejected Ukraine's request for ATACMS missiles with a range of 297 km.
The longer range of the GLSDB glide bomb allows Ukraine to reach targets that would otherwise be out of reach and helps it continue to suppress its counterattacks by harassing Russia further behind its lines.
Reuters first reported Boeing's proposal to send GLSDB to Ukraine last November. At that time it was hoped that GLSDB could be in Ukraine in the spring. The GLSDB is a missile co-produced by Boeing with Swedish aircraft company SAAB.
The missile combines the GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) with an M26 rocket motor, both of which are common in the US military inventory. According to the SAAB website, the GLSDB is GPS-guided, can defeat some electronic jammers, can be used in all weather conditions, and can be used against armored vehicles.
The GBU-39, which will serve as a GLSDB warhead, has small folding wings that allow it to glide more than 100 km if dropped from an aircraft and hit targets as small as 1 meter in diameter.
"USAI funds will also be used to pay for more HAWK air defense components, counter drone systems, counter artillery and air surveillance radars, communications equipment, PUMA drones, and spare parts for key systems such as the Patriot and Bradley," one of the officials said.
"There is also a large amount of medical equipment - enough to equip three field hospitals donated by other allies," the official added.
The White House declined to comment on this report. The content and amount of the aid package could shift until President Joe Biden signs it. In addition to the USAI funds, more than $400 million in aid is expected to come from the Presidential Withdrawal Authority fund, which allows the president to draw from current US holdings in an emergency.
The assistance is expected to include mine-resistant ambush protection (MRAP) vehicles, guided multiple launch rocket systems (GMLRS), and ammunition. The US has sent around $27.2 billion worth of security aid to Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February 2022. Russia called the invasion a "special operation".
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