Topline
Here’s a list of the major U.S. weapons—and key contributions from other countries—pledged to Ukraine in its war against Russia, including the $800 million worth of military equipment promised Thursday by President Joe Biden.
Ukrainian soldiers unpack a weapons shipment including Stinger missiles in February.
Key Facts
Switchblade drones: The Biden Administration said Wednesday it will send 100 “Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems” to Ukraine, and several outlets reported the systems are Switchblade drones, a notorious and secretive weapon known as a kamikaze drone or killer drone that fly at its target then detonates.
Stingers: The shipment will also include 20 million rounds of ammunition and 800 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, which can be shoulder-fired or as part of larger systems, and Germany sent 500 Stingers as part of the European Union’s $500 million lethal weapons purchase to Ukraine—the first time the EU ever supplied weapons for a country at war.
Javelins: The U.S. said Wednesday it will send 2,000 Javelin anti-tank missiles and 7,000 more anti-armor weapons, adding to the 2,600 shoulder-launched Javelins already sent to Ukraine by the U.S. and at least 15,000 more anti-tank missiles sent by other allies, including anti-tank systems from Sweden and 4,000 anti-tank missiles from the United Kingdom.
Body armor: The U.S. shipment will also include 25,000 helmets and body armor sets apiece, and Japan supplied helmets and other nonlethal equipment to Ukraine.
Arms and ammunition: The Czech Republic supplied 40,000 arms to Ukraine, Canada sent machine guns, rifles and surveillance equipment and Australia sent $50 million of equipment including missiles and ammunition.
Surprising Fact
Ukraine’s allies have not delivered fighter jets to the country despite significant attention paid to the matter. Jets were initially a part of the EU’s $500 million military equipment package, but the EU scrapped its donation shortly after Ukraine said it had pilots prepared to fly the planes. Last week, the U.S. rejected Poland’s offer to give about two dozen MiG-29 Soviet-era fighter jets to Ukraine, warning it could be seen by Russia as an act of aggression and the jets may not be very effective.
Tangent
The United Kingdom announced Thursday it will deploy a Sky Sabre missile defense system to Poland and 100 personnel to operate the Sky Sabre to the country. The move comes as part of NATO allies’ bolstered defense in member countries near Ukraine. The U.S. has moved or repositioned 15,000 troops in NATO countries. Biden has consistently said American troops won’t be deployed in Ukraine, and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg ruled out Wednesday any direct military intervention from the alliance in Ukraine.
Further Reading
Shadowy Switchblade Kamikaze Drones On Their Way To Ukraine: Here’s What We Know About Them (Forbes)
Ukraine’s Use Of Stinger And Javelin Missiles Is Outstripping U.S. Production (Forbes)
Arming Ukraine: 17,000 Anti-Tank Weapons in 6 Days and a Clandestine Cybercorps (New York Times)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2022/03/17/switchblade-drones-javelins-stingers-more-here-are-the-weapons-ukraine-is-getting-from-the-us-and-others/