“Financial Times writes that Ukraine risks a shortage of air defense deficiency after the Pentagon has reviewed a military assistance program, which led to slowing down supplies while the Russian Federation increases air attacks.”, – WRITE: www.pravda.com.ua
Source: FT with reference to Western and Ukrainian officials, “European Truth”
Details: The supply pressure has intensified after several months of irregular and less than expected deliveries from the moment of acceptance of the Pentagon Directive in June.
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Officials and analysts warn that if Moscow continues to escalate or simply retains higher rates of missile and unmanned attacks, Ukrainian air defense units will face a shortage.
“This is a matter of time when ammunition is over,” said a person who is familiar with American supplies of air defense to Ukraine.
The slowdown in deliveries is of particular concern, as other missiles purchased directly from manufacturers within the framework of a separate program “Initiative to promote Ukraine’s security” are produced by parties, which causes the gaps between deliveries.
EU countries have also recently agreed to send air defense systems and ammunition from their stocks and buy others in the United States so that they can supply them to Ukraine, but these supplies only partially came.
The slowdown in the US supplies by the United States occurred after Elbridge Kolby, the main politician of the Pentagon in early June, wrote a note for the Defense Minister Pete Hegset. Colby, who stated that he wanted to reorient the US army to counteract the growing threat from China, argued in the note that Ukraine’s requests for US weapons could lead to further depletion of already exhausted Pentagon reserves.
The White House Representative said: “Notification that we” deprive Kiev of vital air defense means “, clearly false, and the Ministry of Defense works very purposefully to support Ukraine’s requirements, including air defense.”
The official added that President Donald Trump wanted to “stop murder” and instructed the United States “to sell weapons to NATO ally, who can replace what European countries are sending to Ukraine.”
“However, European countries should also be intensified, including stopping Russian oil purchases and putting economic pressure on the countries that finance the war,” he added.
After checking the readiness of 10 important systems of the Pentagon, he first suspended and then slowed the supply of PAC-3 interceptors for PATROTOt systems to Ukraine; tens of portable Styinger anti-aircraft missile systems; high -precision artillery shells; More than 100 Hellfire and AIM missiles launched by Ukrainian NASAMS anti-aircraft missile systems and F-16 fighters, American and Ukrainian high-ranking officials said.
According to Ukrainian officials, during the summer, Ukrainian troops spent a considerable amount of ammunition, trying to protect themselves from intensive air attacks on military and civilian infrastructure. As Russia increases the number of air blows on energy facilities on the eve of the heating season, trying to weaken Ukraine and use its advantage in the battlefield, Kiev is expecting more defensive challenges.
Each powerful Russian shelling forces Ukraine to shoot valuable interceptors and other means of lesions faster than an American replacement can arrive.
Prehistory:
- At an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ukraine, in the format of the political committee, convened at the request of the Ukrainian side in connection with the recent massive Russian shelling, it was about the need to strengthen Ukrainian air defense, more involvement of allies in Ukrainian production of drones, increased pressure on Russia.
- The US State Department has approved the potential sale of equipment and services to support the operation of Patriot Air Defense System for about $ 179.1 million.