Key weapons needed by both Israel and Ukraine from US

The New York Times writes about it.

President Biden pledged to support both Ukraine and Israel with more weapons, emphasizing equal priority. However, there's a hitch as thousands of 155-millimeter artillery shells promised to Ukraine might go to Israel, the article notes. 

Ukraine is poised to receive about $61 billion in new military aid, while Israel would receive about $14 billion for its air and missile defenses in the proposal.

The NYT provides examples of weapons both nations need. If Israel's anticipated ground offensive in Gaza continues for months, the US might struggle to meet demand.

Artillery ammunition

Both Ukraine and Israel use NATO-standard 155-millimeter shells extensively. The supply is running low, and manufacturers can't keep up. These shells can target areas within a few dozen miles. They might be redirected to Israel and Ukraine, with variations in ammunition type to avoid overlap.

"Manufacturers in the United States and Europe are pushing their ammunition production into high gear, but it will likely be years before they can refill the Atlantic alliance’s stockpiles and meet Ukraine’s demands — not to mention Israel’s," the article notes.

Smart bombs

After Hamas's attack, the US sent Israel about 1,000 small-diameter bombs equipped with a GPS navigation system to track and strike targets. More of these bombs are requested by Israel, and Ukraine is due to receive a ground-based version this fall.

Israel has bought over 8,500 small-diameter bombs from the U.S. since 2010, and the U.S. military has procured more than 34,000 since 2018. This means there's no competition between Ukraine and Israel for these bombs, and current stockpiles can cover both countries.

Stinger missiles

These missiles are used for protection from airstrikes, and both Israel and Ukraine have them. The US has supplied Ukraine with over 2,000 Stinger systems. These missiles are effective for downing drones and artillery rockets, especially in urban combat.

Few Stinger missiles are being produced, and inventories are limited. Israel and Ukraine have Patriot air defense systems, but Stingers are more cost-effective for specific threats. The supply of these missiles is crucial for both nations' defense.