Understanding pace of US military aid to Ukraine – Defense Express

Defense Express writes about it. 

With the US renewing military aid to Ukraine post the adoption of the April 2024 budget, questions arise regarding the promptness of delivering promised weapons. Additionally, there's curiosity about how much of the allocated $61 billion will stay in the US and how much will reach Ukraine directly.

A recent publication from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) offers insights. By analyzing open-source data, experts calculated the time it took for various weaponry to be supplied to Ukraine's Armed Forces from the US decision announcement during 2022-2023. The findings were surprising, showing significant delays.

Notably, transfers like 155-mm M777 howitzers (12 days), "Afghan" Mi-17 helicopters (20 days), and HIMARS systems (22 days) were relatively swift. On the other hand, M1117 armored vehicles (499 days), M60-based self-propelled bridges (312 days), and MRAP class armored vehicles (260 days) faced extensive delays.

Air defense equipment, including Patriot and NASAMS air defense systems, Avenger complexes, and VAMPIREs took 119 to 177 days to transfer.

CSIS experts underline that multiple factors, such as logistics, technical readiness, military's familiarity with weaponry, and infrastructure deployment for maintenance, influenced transfer pace.

The delayed delivery of additional Patriots raises questions despite their existing service in Ukraine's Defense Forces.

Furthermore, the Pentagon did not utilize a $5 billion reserve, which can be attributed to an accounting phenomenon rather than available funds.