Before the start of the full-scale conflict, the armed forces of Ukraine had a much smaller military potential compared to the Russian Federation. After the collapse of the USSR, most of the heavy weapons went to Russia. Moreover, the majority of enterprises of the military-industrial complex are also located on the territory of the Russian Federation. Despite such unfavorable upward conditions, Ukraine has been desperately resisting for almost a year and is moving into a counteroffensive.
One of the main factors in the success of the Ukrainian armed forces is Western weapons, which in a number of characteristics are superior to Soviet models and Russian developments.
Of course, the supply of weapons to Ukraine from NATO member countries could not fail to provoke a reaction from the pro-Russian mass media. As is often the case, nothing came of it other than silent statements and the reprinting of controlled publications.
Oleksandr Kovalenko: Ukraine needs not only equipment
The well-known Ukrainian military observer Oleksandr Kovalenko emphasized that the losses of Ukraine in 2022 on the battlefield require significant compensation, and it is not only about the supply of equipment.
Oleksandr Kovalenko, military observer
«Ukraine cannot fully carry out repair work to restore our potential. Because the technical and technological capabilities do not allow this to work in full. That is why the help of partners is important to quickly compensate for losses. This applies not only to heavy equipment but also, for example, BMP, artillery, shells, ammunition, etc. Only at the expense of our military-industrial complex, we will not be able to fully compensate for the losses and are forced to rely on the help of partners.»
Can allies transfer more weapons to Ukraine?
In light of recent events, Ukraine can indeed count on large supplies of lethal weapons, including tanks, armored fighting vehicles, modern artillery system
M2A1 Bradley. Such Infantry vehicles will be transferred to Ukraine by the United States
s, and a wide range of other weapons.
Oleksandr Kovalenko: «Ukraine can receive various types of weapons that have not yet been handed over to us and receive weapons that we have not received. If we see exactly what kind of aid comes in each package every two weeks from the US, then these packages focus on what Ukraine may need in the next two weeks.»
What weapons will Ukraine receive? Both Soviet-style and modern Western
This is how the Ukrainian military observer sees the structure of supplies of military equipment to the armed forces.
The Krab self-propelled howitzer, produced in Poland, is already in service with the Ukrainian armed forces
Oleksandr Kovalenko: «We see a large number of armored vehicles, medium armored vehicles, light armored vehicles. Much attention is paid to shells of 155 mm caliber and calibers of the Soviet model: 152 mm, 122 mm, and 125 mm caliber for Soviet tanks. So, the package includes the most important positions for Ukraine, but it can be expanded. For example, the last package included [infantry fighting vehicle]M2 Bradley from the USA. They were not there before, but this is an important position if we are talking about medium-armored vehicles of the infantry fighting vehicle level, which are necessary for rapid assault operations, counter-offensive operations, mobile operations, etc. That is, this is a certain expansion of the range of weapons that Ukraine will receive.»
German main battle tank Leopard 2a7v
Will «Leopard» come after «Challenger»?
Oleksandr Kovalenko: «Who knows what will be in the next aid package from the allies? Great Britain is already ready to provide us with, for example, its Challenger 2 and AS-90 self-propelled artillery systems. In fact, this is an increase in the number of [heavy]weapons that we will receive. And the increase is precisely due to the new nomenclature. Therefore, I am sure that in the near future there will be an increase in the supply of weapons and an increase in the nomenclature»
What did Rammstein bring?
A meeting in the “Rammstein” format will take place on January 20, 2023. The main topic of the meeting is the supply of weapons to Ukraine to fight against the Russian Federation.
Results of the meeting: allocation of additional weapons to Ukraine.
Denmark has guaranteed continued military and civilian support. Denmark is ready to transfer 19 Caesar self-propelled artillery installations to Ukraine. They financed military aid in the amount of about 600 million euros.
The UK has announced an aid package that includes hundreds of armored and protected vehicles, Starstreak and medium-range air defense missiles, Challenger 2 main battle tanks with armored recovery and repair vehicles, AS-90 155 mm self-propelled guns, 600 Brimstone anti-tank munitions, a support package equipment for modernization of up to a hundred Ukrainian tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. London will also continue the training of the armed forces.
Slovakia announced the supply of battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and air defense systems, as well as increased production of howitzers, mine clearance equipment, and ammunition.
The Czech Republic declared further support to Ukraine by delivering military equipment in cooperation with partners and in accordance with Ukraine’s needs. «The key component of our contribution will be the maintenance of the already delivered equipment and the increase in maintenance capacity,» Czech representatives said.
Lithuania will provide dozens of L-70 anti-aircraft guns with tens of thousands of ammunitions and two Mi-8 helicopters. The total cost is about 85 million euros. The country is also investing 40 million euros in purchases to support the Ukrainian military (anti-drones, optics, thermo-visual devices and drones)
Poland will hand over S-60 anti-aircraft guns with 70,000 ammunition. Warsaw has already handed over 42 infantry fighting vehicles, it also continues deliveries of 155-mm Krab howitzers and supplies Ukraine with various types of ammunition. In addition, Poland is ready to hand over a company of Leopard 2 tanks with 1,000 rounds of ammunition.
Estonia provides dozens of 155 mm FH-70 and 122 mm D-30 howitzers, thousands of 155 mm artillery ammunition, support equipment for artillery units, and hundreds of Carl-Gustaf M2 anti-tank grenade launchers with ammunition. The total cost of the aid package is about 113 million euros. Also, Tallinn will continue to train the military personnel of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Latvia is preparing new aid with additional dozens of man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems (Stinger) and additional air defense elements, two Mi-17 helicopters, dozens of machine guns with ammunition, several dozen UAVs, and spare parts for M109 howitzers. In addition, Latvia will train the Ukrainian military.
Danylo Kondysiuk
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