Nearly 18 months on from Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine, Western support for Kyiv continues to flow in with the US recently announcing the forty-fourth tranche of equipment being provided from Department of Defense (DoD) inventory, while the International Fund for Ukraine has also committed funding for security equipment provision.
On 14 August, the US DoD announced that provision of additional air defence munitions, artillery and tank ammunition, anti-armour weapons, and other equipment to help Ukraine counter Russian forces operating in the country, in a package worth up to $200m. The steady supply of munitions is vital for Ukraine as it relies on the flow of equipment from Western allies to maintain its forces.
Specific ammunition included munitions for the Patriot air defence systems and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, 120mm tank ammunition, Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided missiles, additional Javelin anti-armour missiles, and over 12 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenades.
Other equipment includes mine clearing equipment, 37 ‘tactical vehicles’ for use in logistics roles, 58 water trailers, and other spare parts.
Meanwhile, the International Fund for Ukraine, a coalition of international partners supporting Ukraine, has ordered multiple counter-UAS air defence systems from Norwegian defence company Kongsberg. The delivery consists of several CORTEX Typhon systems, according to a Kongsberg release, which have been delivered to counter UAS, and is valued at £56m ($71m).
“This contract will provide a significant capability boost for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and will support their ability to protect their people and defend their country against aerial threats,” says Eirik Lie, president of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.
The CORTEX Typhon c-UAS is based on software and hardware from Teledyne FLIR and Kongsberg, including surveillance system and Kongsberg’s remote weapon station (RWS) and CORTEX integrated combat solution. As part of the delivery, the Norwegian Government has donated Dingo 2 vehicles, Kongsberg RWS and weapons.
Ukraine’s counter-offensive grinds on
Ukraine began its long-awaited counter-offensive against Russian forces in early June, primarily focusing on the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts in the east and southeast of the country. Gains have been slow, with Russia having had ample time to create defensive networks and minefields to slow or stop and advances.
Additional factors, including an inability for Ukraine to provide consistent air support so close to Russia’s air defence systems has hampered progress, with Western countries even now making slow steps towards the provision of F-16 fighters and combat training.
Land-based equipment support has been more readily available, with the full range of platforms provided to Ukraine from Western allies including main battle tanks, artillery, and infantry fighting vehicles.
