How 3 new types of weapons will strengthen Ukraine's Armed Forces - Serhii Zgurets

Since February, the U.S. has given us $10 billion in aid. Let me remind you that $1 billion is the amount of spending that was allocated at the best of times per year for the rearmament of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The new aid package includes ammunition for the HIMARS systems, the HARM anti-location systems that we use from the MiG-29 fighters. This is the answer to what kind of aircraft we use to destroy the Russian air defense system. Howitzers, ammunition for them, Carl Gustaf, Javelin grenade launchers are also given to us.

I will single out at least three examples of interesting weapons that we will receive for the first time.

Drones to strengthen the artillery of Ukrainian Armed Forces

First of all, these are ScanEagle unmanned systems. These UAVs are capable of flying 150 km, weigh 15 kg and can stay in the air for 24 hours. These are the complexes that we will direct for the needs of artillery, because they are capable of reconnaissance day and night. These are systems that our artillery brigades need, because due to the active nature of hostilities, the number of UAVs in various brigades ranges from 20 to 50%. We lose them from fire and under the influence of Russian EW. The arrival of these systems will really strengthen the capabilities of our artillery and is an indicator for increasing the effectiveness. This is one of the UAVs that can stay in the air for almost a day. Such systems are manufactured by only 5 companies in the world, therefore, in any case, we absolutely need this sample.

Complexes for strengthening anti-tank defense

The second unexpected weapon in this pack is the TOW anti-tank systems, which are among the most famous in the world. We have about 1,500 such systems. They were created back in the 1970s, have various modifications and are capable of destroying enemy targets at a range of 3.5 km to 4.5 km. This is a second-generation complex that is controlled through wires that allow you to stably guide this missile to the target. It is heavy enough - 70 kg, it is difficult to drag it. Obtaining such a system requires additional platforms for use. These are Bradley vehicles or BMPs. We need this sector of weapons to strengthen anti-tank defense due to the use of Javelin, TOW and other models. On the other hand, this transfer of equipment can be explained by the fact that the stocks of Ukrainian-made "Stugna" complexes are probably running out. And the US proposal for TOW meets this need.

Shells for guns that hit almost from the first shot

A third sample that does not relate to the US aid package. This is Ukraine's appeal to Germany. It is about the order of 225 Vulcano subcaliber guided projectiles, which are designed and manufactured by a company from Italy. THESE ammunition are considered to be among the most advanced in the world. They are used for 155-mm guns. Ammunition is capable of hitting targets at a distance of 70 km. They can be controlled depending on the modification and ensure hitting the target almost from the first shot. They are extremely valuable. The fact that the Ukrainian army decided to purchase them means that we want to move from quantitative indicators in the use of artillery to qualitative capabilities. It was decided that these purchases will be made at the expense of the German government, as well as EU funds. It is Germany that becomes a partner in the supply of these ammunitions. They will primarily be used with the Panzerhaubitze 2000, which are the best systems in the 155mm caliber. It is these systems that continue to be improved due to intensive use in Ukraine.

The Russian Federation used its most powerful weapons

Why are we talking in such detail about new weapons for the Ukrainian Armed Forces? It is about assessing the prospects of conducting hostilities between the armies of Ukraine and the Russian Federation. Weapons are an important component of the balance or imbalance in the capabilities of the armies of the two countries. As an example, the Russian army has a huge stockpile of weapons, but it has to reach into the stockpile because it has already used its most powerful models. In total firepower: artillery, aviation, missiles, Russia maintains an advantage, although not as significant as it started with. The enemy lacks motivated personnel. In Ukraine, the situation is fundamentally different - we do not have enough weapons, but we are trying to conduct combat operations with the help of more modern and effective approaches to the use of technological samples from our partners.