US Grants Ukraine a $700 Million Arsenal of High‑Precision Missiles
Last Wednesday, President Joe Biden rolled out a hefty weapons package for Ukraine, worth roughly $700 million (≈ S$964 million). The weaponry will include high‑mobility artillery rocket systems—think the HIMARS—that can strike enemies up to 80 kilometres away.
Why the U.S. Is Doing This (and a Little Diplomacy)
- “We’ll stand with our Ukrainian partners,” Biden said, underscoring America’s pledge to provide both firepower and equipment.
- Ukraine promised the U.S. it won’t use the rockets to target Russian territory. That assurance helped secure the deal and keep the conflict from spiralling.
- Secretary of State Antony Blinken and NATO Secretary‑General Jens Stoltenberg got a quick shout‑out in a public meeting, pointing out the same commitment.
What Comes Next
A senior Defense Department official, speaking at the Pentagon, confirmed that the first chunk will be four HIMARS units delivered to Ukraine. Then comes the three‑week training grind for troops to master the new tech.
When asked if this will turn the tide of war, Under‑Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl said, “No system is going to win the war. It’s a battle of national will—grinding, hard conflict.”
Biden’s Take on the Bigger Picture
In a New York Times op‑ed, Biden noted that the weapons package would not only boost Ukraine’s battlefield strength but also put it in a stronger position at future negotiations.
Quick Recap
- Package size: $700 million / S$964 million
- Key weapon: HIMARS high‑mobility rocket system
- Delivery: four units, followed by three‑week training
- Condition: Ukraine won’t fire at Russian territory
- Goal: Harness firepower and improve negotiating leverage
In short, the U.S. is all in—sending a bolt‑heavy load of precision rockets, while making sure everybody knows the rules of engagement. If Ukraine fires them wisely, this could change the dynamics of the conflict… or at least make the campaign more deadly efficient. Either way, the Biden administration’s decision is a bold move you won’t want to forget.
<img alt="" data-caption="Javeline anti-tank missiles are displayed on the assembly line as US President Joe Biden tours a Lockheed Martin weapons factory in Troy, Alabama, US on May 3, 2022.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”48276cb9-7b3f-4765-ba78-273f502287b0″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/3TWYAUF6EVMILJGOUWQWVJOKTA.jpeg”/>
U.S. Keeps Rockets Short‑Range for Ukraine – A Tactical Decision
Rand Kahl, the Pentagon’s weapons‑allocation chief, told reporters that the U.S. decided to hold back the longer‑range rockets Ukraine has been eyeing. “We found the shorter‑range ones are enough for what’s going on now,” Kahl said, rolling his eyes at the idea of a 300‑mile launch pad.
Why the Long‑Range Rockets Won’t Make the Cut
- Short‑range sweet spot: The new HIMARS system, the Pentagon’s first choice, cruises well below the Soviet legacy rockets that Ukraine currently has in short supply.
- Enough to protect the backyard: According to Jonathan Finer, the deputy White House national‑security adviser, the HIMARS is “just right” for Kyiv’s defensive posture, as Russian forces are already on Ukrainian soil.
Ukraine’s Desire for 300‑Mile Bursts
Ukraine was hoping for rockets that could sky‑rocket up to about 300 miles. That would push Russian troops far beyond the reach of current artillery. The U.S., however, has stuck with the “short‑range” version, which it feels is sufficient for the “defensive conflict” that it believes is taking place.
Who Else is in the Mix?
- Air‑surveillance radars to keep an eye on enemy movements.
- Counter‑fire radars to pinpoint where the shells are coming from.
- Javelin anti‑tank missiles to keep heavy armor at bay.
- And a handful of anti‑armor weapons for those stubborn tanks that wouldn’t bite.
Allies: “Let’s Beat Russia Together!”
Andriy Yermak, household name for many Ukrainian citizens as the chief of staff to President Zelenskiy, spilled a short tweet shearing the usual bravado: “Thank you allies. Let’s defeat Russia together.” We definitely heard that.
Russia’s Fire‑y Response
Russia’s chief spokesperson slammed the U.S. as “fueling the fire” for an advanced rocket armament. Finer retook the row from the front door of the Kremlin, telling the world that President Putin had been warned directly, “about what could happen if one day Ukraine tries to nudge this deep into Russia.”
Finer’s exact words: “We’re doing exactly what we said we’d do. Russia brought this on itself by launching an invasion on a sovereign country from its own soil.”
When the Numbers Get Real
Since the Russian invasion on Feb. 24, thousands of tragic deaths and millions of displaced people are behind the basic statistics. Moscow, in its official line, calls the operation a “special military endeavor” aimed at “denazifying” Ukraine. The U.S. and its allies continue to support Kyiv with ever more advanced weaponry, which the U.S. acknowledges could trigger dangerous escalation if Ukraine pushes deeper into Russian territory.
So, in short: U.S. chooses shorter rockets for current defense needs, coats Warsaw with new ammo and sensors, and keeps a finger on the monitor—watching not just supplies but also how the conflict might flare like a fireworks show. Let’s hope the fireworks stay on the rocket rails and not in the skies above.
