The largest aid package from the US so far – but it does not contain what Ukraine wants most

The Pentagon says it will rush the delivery of Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems to Ukraine as part of its new military aid package. The United States will use six billion dollars for this purpose, Defense Minister Lloyd Austin announced on Friday. A source confirmed to the BBC that the six billion dollars is part of the $60 billion aid package signed by US President Joe Biden on Wednesday, which also includes one billion dollars in emergency aid, reports Index.hr.

However, Patriot missile launch systems will not be sent. This is exactly what Ukraine is looking for the most. There is no Patriot air defense system on the list, although Kiev requested as many as seven missile batteries.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said “patriots” are urgently needed to help Ukraine deal with the growing Russian air threat and that they “can and should be saving lives right now.”

Ukraine has only a few “patriots” to complement other Western missile defense systems and existing stockpiles of Soviet surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) such as the S-300. These are the most capable and most expensive air defense systems that Ukraine has. Each Patriot battery costs about $1 billion, and each rocket costs nearly $4 million.

The largest US aid package to date, but it lacks what Ukraine is most looking for

At a news conference, Austin said the US was committed to the largest package of security assistance to date and would “move immediately” to get supplies to Ukraine. This would include anti-aircraft munitions, anti-drone systems and artillery munitions, but not Patriot missile systems.

– They (Ukrainians) don’t need only “patriots”, they need other types of systems and interceptors. I would caution all of us not to look at the Patriots as a magic solution – said Austin, adding that he is confident that more missile systems will be available to Kiev soon.

As he added, talks are ongoing with European partners about the delivery of additional funds.

There is no “Abrams” in the package either.

In the new American military “package” of aid to Ukraine, there are no “patriot” air defense systems or “M1 abrams AS” tanks. So far, Russia has officially destroyed five of those tanks out of the 31 delivered.

Ukraine has withdrawn the Abrams M1A1 tanks sent to it by the United States from combat for the time being, in part because Russian drone attacks have made it difficult for those tanks to operate and because they are the targets of attacks, two US military officials told the AP.

For now, the tanks have been moved from the front lines, and the US will work with the Ukrainians to find new tactics for using those tanks, US Joint Chiefs Vice Chairman Admiral Christopher Grady and an unnamed defense official said.

The U.S. approved sending 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine in January 2023 after Ukrainian officials requested their delivery, arguing that the tanks, which cost about $10 million each, are vital to breaking through Russian battle lines.

The front has changed significantly since then, especially due to the use of Russian reconnaissance drones, which has made it difficult for Ukrainian forces to protect Abrams tanks from Russian attacks because the drones quickly detect them, according to the AP.

Encouraging the production of ammunition in Ukraine

The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Brown, said the aid should reduce the use of grenades on the battlefield.

Some of the latest funding would also go towards building up Ukraine’s own defense industry so it can start producing more of its much-needed ammunition.

Austin said that Russia has already increased its domestic production of artillery ammunition and other weapons – and is supported by shipments from Iran and North Korea.

– You have to understand what is at stake for Ukraine, Europe and the United States. If Putin wins in Ukraine – Europe would face a security threat like it has never seen before. Russia will not stop in Ukraine – he said.

Europe should deliver “patriots” to Ukraine, but it is not known when or how much

Europe should provide the Ukrainians with six “patriot” systems, but when – it is not known. When asked when Ukraine will receive the seven “Patriot” air defense systems requested by President Volodymyr Zelensky, the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, replied that the decision is up to the member states.

– I think the time is ripe now, everything has been said and there is still a lot to be done – Borel said.

Germany has already pledged an additional Patriot system – and its defense and foreign ministers urged their European counterparts earlier this month to act urgently. Greece has stockpiles of Patriots and S-300s, but has said it cannot give anything to Ukraine.

– We explained why we cannot do that – said Greek Prime Minister Kyrios Mitsotakis and added that his country’s air defense systems are “systems for the protection of Greek airspace”.

According to reports, Spain will supply some Patriot missiles, but not the entire system.

In recent months, Kiev has stepped up its calls for help from the West as its ammunition stocks run low and Russia continues to advance. Ukrainian officials blamed delays in military aid from the US and other Western allies for the loss of life and territory.

(Index.hr, Tanjug)