Reuters: Ukraine’s weapons request includes THAAD air defense systems and F-18s from the United States
7 December, 2023 A C-17A Globemaster III military transport aircraft delivers THAAD launchers to South Korea, March 6, 2017 The Ukrainian government has requested the transfer of US THAAD air defense systems, F-18 fighter jets, helicopters, and other heavy weapons. Reuters reported on this.
Officials from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense presented a "list of weapons to meet the needs of the defense forces of Ukraine" during a closed-door session of a conference in Washington on Wednesday, December 6. The comprehensive list included weapons Ukraine already has in stock, like Abrams tanks and 155-millimeter artillery, as well as some weaponry, such as F-16s, drones, and long-range ATACMS missiles that it has asked for in the past. However, the list has a few surprises, including items like the C-17 Globemaster military transport aircraft and the C-130 Super Hercules military transport aircraft.
Apache attack helicopters made the list, as did the Black Hawk helicopter.
C-17A Globemaster III military transport aircraft. Photo from open sources
The documents demonstrate that Ukraine is also seeking F-18 "Hornet" fighter jets, three types of drones made by General Atomics, including the MQ-9B Sky Guardian and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) air defense systems.
New weapons
If transferred, new models of equipment, could replace similar Soviet-era systems in Ukraine's arsenal and expand its capabilities. The most powerful air defense system in Ukraine today is the Patriot PAC-3, which intercepted a Russian Kh-47 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile on May 4.
However, with the introduction of THAAD systems, this potential would be expanded, as the new system would allow intercepting ballistic missiles on approach in the outer atmosphere and covering a larger area.
THAAD air defense system. Photo from open sources
However, the main purpose of this sophisticated system, which together with the AN/TPY-2 radar may cost more than £3 billion, is to intercept medium-range ballistic missiles that have not yet been used in the Russian-Ukrainian war. At the same time, the F-18 Hornet fighter jets might significantly strengthen Ukraine's fighter aircraft fleet, which currently consists of obsolete Soviet-era MiG-29 and Su-27 aircraft.
F-18 Super Hornet fighter jet of the United States Air Force.
Photo from open sources
The request for this particular type of American fighter jet remains unexpected, as it is to some extent at odds with the Air Force's position, which is focused on obtaining F-16 fighter jets.
The interest in military transport aircraft, namely C-17 Globemaster and C-130 Super Hercules, remains unclear, as Ukraine has a powerful fleet of aircraft of this class, including Il-76 and An-124 Ruslan.