The United States will finance the modernization of T-72 tanks and HAWK surface-to-air missiles as part of a military aid to Ukraine of about 400 million dollars, the Pentagon announced on Friday.
Air defense capabilities such as armor rank quite high on Ukraine’s list of requests for assistance. Jake Sullivan, national security adviser to US President Joe Biden, met with Volodymyr Zelensky in kyiv on Friday to announce this new aid, the White House later announced.
He also “underlined the unwavering support of the United States for Ukraine and its people, who defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the statement said.
This trip comes four days before the legislative elections in the United States, which could allow the Republican Party to take control of Congress, some of whose leaders plan to reduce Washington’s aid to Kyiv.
Advances in optics, communications, and armor
The announced aid concerns the T-72, a Soviet-era tank that is no longer up to the modern armored vehicles – such as the German Leopard or the American M1 Abrams – that Kyiv has sought to obtain.
The “tanks come from the Czech defense industry, and the United States is paying for the modernization of 45 of them, while the Netherlands has made the same commitment,” for a total of 90 T-72s, the spokeswoman told reporters. Pentagon Deputy Sabrina Singh. .
The T-72 will benefit from advanced “optics, communications and armor” equipment, he said, adding that some would be ready by the end of December, while others should be delivered in 2023.
Missiles, an important asset for Ukraine
When asked why more modern tanks were not provided, Sabrina Singh mentioned the factors of cost and ease of use.
“These are tanks that the Ukrainians know how to use on the battlefield,” he said.
US military aid also includes financing for the modernization of HAWK missiles from US military stockpiles. These missiles represent a major asset for Ukraine in its fight against Russian drones and missile attacks targeting Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Sabrina Singh declined to specify how many of these missiles would be upgraded, citing security concerns.
“Repair the damage done”
In addition to armored vehicles and HAWK missiles, this new US aid includes, among other things, 1,100 Phoenix Ghost drones, 40 armored patrol boats, and funding for the refurbishment of 250 M1117 armored vehicles.
The announcement is part of the US military assistance program for Ukraine, which finances the purchase of equipment made by the defense industry, rather than drawing equipment from existing US military stockpiles. This new tranche adds some $18.2 billion in total US aid to Ukraine since the start of the Russian offensive on February 24, and $18.9 billion since Joe Biden’s arrival at the White House in January 2021.
In addition to this security assistance, the United States is exploring ways to help Ukraine repair its critical water and electricity supply infrastructure, hit in recent weeks by Russia.
“We are trying to see what we can do in the short term to help Ukraine repair the damage that has been done, especially to the electrical infrastructure, the grid itself,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.
Source: BFM TV
