After signing the aid package for Ukraine, President Biden stated on Wednesday that shipments can begin immediately. The first batch of military supplies worth $1 billion, pre-approved by the Pentagon, is already stored in warehouses in Germany and Poland. These military supplies include anti-aircraft ammunition, rocket systems, artillery ammunition, armored vehicle equipment, and more. Of particular interest is the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) with a range of 300 kilometers, as well as the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow and AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles for anti-aircraft defense, ammunition for the HIMARS rocket system, Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, TOW missiles, Javelin anti-tank missiles, and more.
On April 25th, the US State Department confirmed that the US had quietly provided Ukraine with ATACMS missiles with a range of 300 kilometers as part of the March aid package, fulfilling a long-standing request from Ukraine. Officials, who chose to remain anonymous, revealed that the long-range ATACMS missiles were first used on April 17th when Ukrainian forces attacked a Russian S-400 air defense system at the Sevastopol airbase, approximately 165 kilometers from the Ukrainian front line.
The military aid also includes RIM-7 Sea Sparrow and AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles as part of the “Franken-SAM” air defense program. Initiated in early 2023 by the US, the “Franken-SAM” program aims to integrate Western-manufactured air defense missiles with Ukraine’s existing Soviet-era air defense systems. This integration of US-made Sea Sparrow missiles into Soviet-era systems is not unprecedented, as Raytheon previously helped Poland integrate Sea Sparrow missiles onto T-72 chassis, developing the WZU-2 in 2007, a launcher with a 3-round container. The WZU-2 likely serves as a prototype for the Franken-SAM system.
The UK also announced its largest military aid package to Ukraine, drawing attention to the Brimstone IV dual-mode guided bomb. This marks the UK’s first assistance with this type of guided bomb, likely in preparation for the upcoming F-16 fighter jets, which can also be installed on retrofitted Soviet-era aircraft.
Despite ongoing Russian airstrikes causing significant damage to Ukrainian military-industrial enterprises, Ukraine continues to develop new weapon systems. Recently, Ukrainian defense company Inguar unveiled the new wheeled armored vehicle model INGUAR-3.
The aid and support from the US, UK, and other allies reflect a strong commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities in the face of Russian aggression, ensuring that Ukraine remains a key focus in the global security landscape.