It is expected that at the meeting of the Contact Group on the Defense of Ukraine (Rammstein) the issue of the supply of German Leopard 2 tanks by Germany and other countries will be resolved, and the supply of many armored combat vehicles will also be announced. However, before the meeting, many states have already announced new supplies of weapons to Ukraine, the size and range of which is impressive.
Sweden
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced the transfer to Ukraine of 155-mm Archer B howitzers (Swedish media unofficially talk about 12 units, and in the future – about 24), 50 units of CV90 BMP and NLAW ATGM. The total cost of the aid package is $419 million. The quality of the provided weapons is the highest: Archer self-propelled guns and CV90 combat vehicles are considered to be among the best of their kind.
Sweden’s press talks about the country’s small number of qualified instructors and training centers capable of training the Ukrainian military, which could potentially limit the amount of weapons transferred.
Canada
Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand announced the delivery of 200 Senator armored vehicles to Ukraine. The $90 million lot is part of $500 million allocated by Canada for military aid to Ukraine. In addition, the supply of the NASAMS air defense complex was previously announced.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed consideration of the issue of the transfer of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, but a decision on them has not yet been made.
United Kingdom
In addition to the earlier decision to send 14 Challenger 2 tanks, AS90 self-propelled guns, FV430 Mk3 Bulldog armored personnel carriers and other weapons to Ukraine, United Kingdom Defense Minister Ben Wallace announced the provision of 600 Brimstone air-to-ground or surface-to-ground missiles. of ground installations The flight range of Brimstone II when launched from an aircraft is more than 60 km.
Denmark
The Minister of Defense of Denmark, Jacob Ellemann-Jensen, announced the dispatch of 19 French-made Caesar self-propelled guns to Ukraine. The 155-mm self-propelled artillery installation has already proven itself well in battles against the Russian invaders. Denmark transferred all available Caesar. The part is not in the best technical condition, but Ukraine insisted on the transfer.
Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania
The Baltic countries, which know first-hand what Russian occupation is like, provide the largest aid to Ukraine as a percentage of GDP.
On January 19, Latvia handed over 2 Mi-17 helicopters, a batch of Stinger MANPADS, UAVs and machine guns. The country also actively participates in the training of the Ukrainian military. This week, Latvian Defense Minister Inara Murniece visited Ukraine.
Thank you @oleksiireznikov for meeting in Kyiv. Latvia is a strong ally of Ukraine. We will continue to support ?? military with weapons and training. New military donation from ??are on the way, including drones, Stingers, camouflage weapons with ammunition as well as helicopters pic.twitter.com/o4OwLs0lyn
— Ināra Mūrniece (@IMurniece) January 18, 2023
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Estonia provided more than 20 FH70 and D30 howitzers of 155 mm and 122 mm calibers, respectively. The largest aid package from Estonia is estimated at €113 million. Thus, Estonia’s military aid to Ukraine will increase to €370 million – slightly more than 1% of Estonia’s GDP, the government’s press service reported.
Lithuania handed over dozens of L-70 anti-aircraft guns and two Mi-8 helicopters, a Stinger air defense system and anti-drone equipment. Earlier, President Gitanas Nauseda visited Kyiv. Lithuanian aid is estimated at €125 million.
Poland
The new Polish package consists of S-60 anti-aircraft guns with 70,000 ammunition. It is a relatively old but effective weapon in the fight against threats from the sky.
USA
Due to the time difference, the US was the last to announce a new military aid package. Armaments worth $2.5 billion include:
- 8 Avenger air defense systems
- 90 Stryker armored personnel carriers
- 59 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles with 590 TOW anti-tank missiles
- 53 armored personnel carrier (MRAP)
- 350 armored cars 350
- 12 transporters for ammunition
- 22 weapons tugs
- 6 command and staff vehicles
- A huge amount of artillery, rocket and small-arms ammunition
The USA and Israel also decided to transfer ammunition from American warehouses in Israel to Ukraine. According to the press, part of the aid is already in Europe. Aid to Ukraine will also come from American warehouses in South Korea.
All assistance packages include a large amount of ammunition, auxiliary equipment, spare parts. The largest nomenclature and quantity was provided by the USA.
Rammstein and after: further military assistance
On January 19, defense ministers and representatives of Estonia, Great Britain, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Slovakia met to discuss further assistance to Ukraine and signed a joint statement. In it, representatives of 9 countries once again condemned Russia’s aggression, attacks on the civilian population and infrastructure, which are war crimes. The countries pledged to continue to provide comprehensive assistance, helping Ukraine not only to defend itself, but also to liberate its territories and to coordinate among themselves in this matter. Each of the states undertook specific obligations:
- Denmark will continue to provide military aid and military training
- The Czech Republic will continue military aid, as well as the creation and repair of military equipment for Ukraine at its enterprises, for which it will increase production capacity
- Estonia will continue the training of personnel and the provision of military assistance
- Latvia will continue training soldiers, supplying weapons, ammunition and spare parts
- Lithuania will continue supplying weapons and financing their purchase on the international market together with Great Britain
- Poland will continue supplies, including KRAB 155mm howitzers and various ammunition, as well as training of engineering, medical and other personnel
- Slovakia will continue military supplies and efforts to unblock supplies from various countries, including heavy weapons and tanks.
- Britain will coordinate the countries’ joint provision of military aid, train 20,000 Ukrainian troops in 2023 and continue supplies.
- The Netherlands will supply the Patriot complex and participate in financing the purchase of tanks for Ukraine
In addition, France is considering the supply of Leclerc tanks, and the United States is working with 9 Latin American countries to begin supplying Ukraine with Soviet weapons and ammunition that they have.
Already today, Finland announced a new package of military aid to Ukraine in the amount of $400 million, which is the largest since the beginning of the war. It will contain ammunition and heavy equipment, the range of weapons has not been disclosed.
The situation with the supply of German Leopard 2 tanks is not easy due to political opposition in Germany, but many countries are determined on this issue and are putting pressure on it. Poland came out most sharply – Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that his country is ready to supply tanks even without Germany’s consent, but has high hopes for it. The USA has been conducting tense negotiations on this issue in recent days. The German concern Rheinmetall has announced the possibility of supplying more than 100 battle tanks Leopard 1, Leopard 2 and Challenger 1, if the German government agrees.
The issue will most likely be resolved at the upcoming meeting of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine. According to Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anushauskas, some countries will definitely transfer Leopard tanks, and Ukraine will receive hundreds of heavy armored vehicles.
Sources: US Department of Defense, GOV.UK, Cornucopia, Military, Delfi, Sky News, DW, Guardian, ERR and others.
