U.S. to Deliver Ammunition for Ukrainian Artillery and Air Defense

29 July, 2024 SL-AMRAAM missile for the NASAMS air defense system. Photo credits: Armed Forces of Lithuania The United States allocates an additional £200 million security assistance package for Ukraine.

The White House stated that it includes air defense equipment and artillery ammunition. In addition, the Department of Defense is announcing a significant package of support using approximately £1.5 billion in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) funds. The capabilities in this announcement include:

  • Munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS);
  • Short- and medium-range air defense munitions;
  • RIM-7 missiles for air defense;
  • Electronic Warfare equipment;
  • Ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
  • 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds;
  • 120mm mortar rounds;
  • Precision aerial munitions;
  • Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles;
  • Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems;
  • Small arms;
  • Explosives material and demolitions equipment and munitions;
  • Secure communications systems;
  • Commercial satellite imagery services; and
  • Spare parts, maintenance and sustainment support, and other ancillary equipment.
155mm artillery shells.

Photo credits: telegraph.co.uk

This is the 9th package of military aid to Kyiv since U.S. President Joe Biden signed a decree in April to provide about £61 billion in aid to Ukraine. The U.S.

Department of Defense also provides long-term support through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative fund to strengthen air defense, long-range strike capabilities, and anti-tank capabilities. It's worth noting that the package includes commercial satellite imagery services. The transfer of RIM-7 missiles is likely intended for FrankenSAM air defense systems.

The collaboration between American and Ukrainian engineers has resulted in a technical solution that will allow the Buk air defense system to fire RIM-7 missiles. The United States has a large number of such anti-aircraft missiles, while the number of available original Buk missiles is already limited.

Launch of the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow guided missile from the USS Essex amphibious assault ship. Photo credits: US Navy

The short- and medium-range air defense munitions are likely destined for other US systems that the US and European allies have provided.

In June, it became known that the United States elevated Ukraine as a priority recipient of anti-aircraft missiles for air defense systems.

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