Egypt Daily News - The United States of America is moving to transfer military aid to Ukraine after the US House of Representatives approved the aid law, in anticipation of the intensification of the Russian attack before the summer.
According to the Voice of America website, CIA Director Bill Burns stressed last week that moving quickly is crucial, warning that without additional help from the United States, Ukraine may lose the war to Russia by the end of this year.
The US House of Representatives approved a $61 billion military aid package for Ukraine, but it still needs the approval of the Senate and President Joe Biden.
With Congress delaying approval of additional funding needed to replenish weapons sent by the United States to Ukraine, Kiev was forced to spend months without adequate supplies of munitions to confront Moscow.
How can the United States move weapons quickly?
Washington can transfer weapons to Ukraine within days, through a network of storage sites in the United States and Europe that contain the ammunition and air defense components that Kiev needs in its war with Moscow.
*Stockpiles in the United States: The US military has huge weapons storage facilities in the United States for millions of munitions of all sizes that would be ready for use in the event of war. The Army's McAllister Ammunition Plant is a major storage site for one of the most commonly used munitions on the Ukrainian battlefield, 155mm howitzer shells.
Ukraine's request for this particular round put pressure on US stockpiles and prompted the military to look for a way to obtain it, and as a result, tens of thousands of 155mm rounds were shipped from South Korea to Macalester to be modified and retrofitted for Ukraine.
*Stockpiles in Europe: An American military official confirmed that the United States will be able to send certain munitions “almost immediately” to Ukraine because its stores are located in Europe. Among the weapons that can arrive very quickly are 155 mm shells and other artillery, along with some air defense munitions.
A group of sites across Germany, Poland and other European allies are also helping Ukraine maintain and train on systems sent to the front. Germany has established a maintenance center for the Leopard 2 tank fleet in Kiev in Poland, near the Ukrainian border.
What weapons could Ukraine obtain and what difference could they make?
Air defense systems, medium- and long-range missiles and artillery shells are considered the most sought-after and needed by Ukraine.
Air Defense
Ukraine has a variety of Western-supplied systems, from short-range, shoulder-launched Stinger missiles to the advanced and very expensive Patriot system. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at least seven additional Patriot missiles, or their equivalent, were needed.
Russia's cruise missiles and ballistic missiles - including converted S-300 and S-400 surface-to-air missiles as well as hundreds of Iranian-made Shahed 136 drones - are difficult to counter due to the massive quantities they are launched.
A classic tactic for overcoming air defenses is to flood them with targets, thus occupying their radar and tracking systems and depleting missile stocks.
Russia's cruise and ballistic missiles - including converted S-300 and S-400 surface-to-air missiles as well as hundreds of Iranian-made Shahed 136 drones - are difficult to counter due to the massive quantities that are launched.
A classic tactic for overcoming air defenses is to flood them with targets, thus occupying their radar and tracking systems and depleting missile stocks.
The long-range version of the US Army's ATCAMs tactical missile systems has been ready for transport. This type of missile has been in the country since late last year, but the newer version can double the range to 300 kilometers (186 miles), taking the battle in a more... Deeper to Crimea, which Russia uses as a major naval base protected by air assets, and beyond.
Artillery shells
The United States has sent two million 155mm artillery shells to Ukraine since February 2022, and more are likely to be sent in this latest package. The United States has what it calls a "very strong logistics network" to get weapons there quickly.
F-16 fighter jets
Ukrainian pilots and crews continue their training to convert to Western F-16s currently in Romania, and these multi-role aircraft provide stronger air-to-air and air-to-ground capability, thus improving Ukrainian air defenses.
Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United States expect to deliver the first batch of dozens of Viper planes to Ukraine within months. Although these planes will not change the rules of the game, they will serve as another important arrow in Kiev's quiver.
The BBC said that the supplies were likely to have been transferred to a place closer to Ukraine, and once delivered they officially became the property of Ukraine, but getting the equipment to the front lines - especially artillery equipment - could take several days or even weeks, as Russian forces continue to... Bombed in the east.
