US to send extra HIMARS ammo to Ukraine
Ukraine is receiving more ammunition for HIMARS from the US. (Photo: Ukrainian MoD)
Ukraine is receiving more GMLRS rounds for HIMARS but air defence systems are a more pressing requirement.
The State Department on 14 October announced its 23rd drawdown on the extensive US military aid package to Ukraine.
In the latest $725 million instalment, Ukraine will receive additional GMLRS rounds for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) plus 155mm ammunition and M67 gunlaying systems.
Other equipment includes HMMWVs, undefined ‘antitank weapons’, and machine guns and ammunition.
However, Ukraine is demanding more Western assistance in the form of air defence systems as Russia steps up its bombardment of civilian targets with long-range missiles and attack drones.
A State Department spokesperson insisted that air defence remains a US ‘priority’ for Ukraine, and the official noted the transfer to date of more than 1,400 FIM-92 Stinger MANPADS ‘as well as air surveillance and multi-mission radars’.
The US has also assisted NATO allies such as Slovakia in transferring Soviet-era air defence systems to Ukraine.
Of arguably the greatest significance for Ukraine is the US order for eight new National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), which will fire AMRAAMs donated by the UK.
The NASAMS will be manufactured and delivered to Ukraine ‘as quickly as possible’, the State Department spokesperson said.
Other air defence assistance recently announced for Ukraine includes an IRIS-T system from Germany and Hawk launchers from Spain.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Defence Notes
-
![US, Canada advance with over-the-horizon radar programmes to close NORAD surveillance gaps]()
US, Canada advance with over-the-horizon radar programmes to close NORAD surveillance gaps
Washington and Ottawa’s Arctic and homeland radar initiatives aim to strengthen early warning against cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons and long-range aerospace threats approaching North America.
-
![The speed of relevance: how companies can navigate the new era of European defence procurement]()
The speed of relevance: how companies can navigate the new era of European defence procurement
European militaries face a rapidly evolving security landscape and defence production must accelerate to meet surging demand for platforms and equipment. Industry needs to adapt to ensure it gets its products into the hands of the end user, Evelyn Rafferty, Senior Director Aerospace and Defence - Europe at Plexus told Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan.
-
![Delays, departures and drama cloud UK defence programmes ahead of absent DIP]()
Delays, departures and drama cloud UK defence programmes ahead of absent DIP
The UK defence secretary’s departure suggests that the long-delayed Defence Investment Plan is unlikely to meet the funding demands of the armed forces, with consequences for procurement and the UK’s standing at a NATO summit weeks away.
