Foreign weapons for Ukraine: deliveries and plans for the last days
M141 grenade launchers handed over by the Pentagon in January. Photo by the US Department of Defense
In recent days, the Ukrainian army has lost a significant part of its weapons and equipment in units and warehouses. In this regard, Ukraine again asks foreign countries for military-technical assistance. A number of states have already responded to this call and even supplied certain military or dual-use items. However, in the current situation, such assistance is of very limited value.
Plans and measures
Since 2014, Ukraine has been regularly receiving some kind of foreign aid in the form of weapons and other military products. In recent weeks and months, these processes have continued. Thus, in January, foreign partners handed over various types of grenade launchers and anti-tank systems to the Ukrainian army, while other countries indicated their plans to share other products. At the same time, some of them declared the impossibility of transferring the desired weapons.
On February 24, after the start of the Russian Special Military Operation, demilitarized Ukraine again requested assistance. It soon became known that foreign partners were again ready to help. They're going to set aside money, transfer weapon and equipment, other products for the army, fuels and lubricants, etc.
On February 26, the United States announced its readiness to supply Ukraine with various weapons for infantry and ammunition for a total of $350 million. The next day, the European Union announced military assistance in the amount of 450 million euros. In addition, 50 million are planned to be spent on the purchase of fuel and humanitarian supplies for Ukraine.
Caps with Czech weapons, February. Photo of the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic
Against the backdrop of these statements, a number of European countries revealed their plans; they announced their intention to transfer various products to the Ukrainian army. Some of them also specified which products would help. Outside the European continent, there was only one country willing to help - Australia.
The first real arms deliveries took place no later than 27 February. On this day, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Poland reported on the transfer of various products friendly to Ukraine. In the following days, these and other countries again sent trucks and planes with special cargo to the Ukrainian border.
International difficulties
It should be noted that not all processes of military assistance are going smoothly. So, in January, Germany refused to supply Ukraine with weapons, although it did not rule out the transfer of protective equipment and other cargo. In addition, the German authorities blocked the transfer of their former weapons from the Netherlands and Estonia. As a result, the Ukrainian army was unable to obtain Soviet-made howitzers and German anti-tank systems.
However, already on February 26, Berlin changed its position. The German authorities allowed third countries to re-export weapons to Ukraine, and also announced their own arms supplies. In the near future, hundreds of anti-tank systems and MANPADS will be handed over to Ukrainian partners.
Nomenclature of Czech small arms supplied to Ukraine. Graphics of the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic
An equally interesting situation has recently taken place in the field of aviation. On February 27, the leadership of the European Union announced the possible dispatch of combat aircraft to Ukraine. However, it soon became clear that not a single country in Europe could single out suitable types of equipment. News on the topic of aircraft have not appeared for several days, and we can assume that this topic is closed.
Deliveries of armored vehicles have not yet begun. At the same time, Canada and Germany expressed their readiness to transfer a number of unnamed combat vehicles. How soon these plans will be fulfilled is unknown. At the same time, the situation in Ukraine suggests that such deliveries may fail altogether.
Almost all NATO and EU countries are going to participate in the assistance processes, but some of the participants in these organizations have refused. Bulgaria, Hungary and Turkey do not plan to send their weapons to Ukraine. It is curious that Bulgaria was one of those countries that deprived the Ukrainian Air Force of hope for new aircraft.
Small arms
For obvious reasons, the largest amount of assistance is in the form of a variety of small arms. Some countries have already sent their pistols, machine guns and machine guns to Ukraine, while others are just preparing the cargo or talking about their intentions.
The shipment of small arms began on 27 February. The first in this area were the Czech Republic, Lithuania and the Netherlands. Then they were joined by Belgium, Finland, Greece and Portugal. New deliveries from other countries are expected. According to the senders of aid, a total of at least 35-40 thousand units have already been delivered. weapons. The transfer of significant quantities of ammunition was also mentioned.
One of the first batches of aid from Greece, 28 February. Photo by the Greek Ministry of Defense
Ukraine is being handed weapons of various classes and types. For example, the Czech Republic shared 30 thousand pistols. Thousands of assault rifles are also coming in - mostly Kalashnikovs or their derivatives, incl. issued in the countries of the ATS, when it still existed. The Czech Republic supplies machine guns of the "Soviet type" in the amount of thousands of pieces. Italy provided machine guns of NATO standards in normal and large calibers.
Of great interest is the "help" from Portugal. Her army took out old G3 rifles from warehouses. Belgium is about to send their FNC rifles. These items use NATO-standard cartridges, and their value to the Ukrainian army is questionable. Nevertheless, help is indicated and provided.
Anti tank
Ukraine has already received or expects a large number of anti-tank weapons. Thus, Greece and Slovakia shared an unnamed number of old RPG-7 grenade launchers and ammunition for them. Sweden is preparing to send 5 of its AT4 grenade launchers. At least 125 Carl Gustaf products will be delivered from Canada.
The American-made M72 grenade launcher will soon become the most massive in the range of deliveries. Denmark is going to donate 2700 of these items, Norway is donating 2000, Finland is 1500, and Belgium is 200. Germany, Italy and the Netherlands are already shipping more than a thousand Panzerfaust 3 grenade launchers with ammunition.
Shot from an M72 grenade launcher. Ukraine will receive several thousand of these products. Photo by the US Department of Defense
It is assumed that Ukraine will soon receive new batches of Javelin anti-tank systems from the United States or other countries. It is also reported about the plans of Italy to transfer an unnamed number of MILAN complexes. France has similar intentions, but it has not yet disclosed the type and number of anti-tank systems for shipment.
Strengthening air defense
In the last days of February, the United States handed over to Ukraine an extraordinary batch of Stinger MANPADS. It includes at least 200 complexes. Another 500 such products will be allocated by Germany, 200 by the Netherlands. Italy is still counting the possible volumes of such assistance. The position of Denmark is interesting. She is not going to transfer ready-made Stingers, but is ready to help with spare parts for the restoration of old complexes.
Germany announced its readiness to supply MANPADS from old stocks left over from the GDR. Thus, it is possible to send 2700 Strela-2M complexes. Slovakia plans to allocate 100 newer Igla-1 MANPADS and almost 500 missiles for them.
Artillery systems
At the end of February, the fate of nine Estonian D-30 howitzers, previously owned by Germany and Finland, was determined. After some waiting, Estonia was able to obtain permission from the former owners to re-export the guns. Now, apparently, they are preparing for transportation.
Until the end of February, Poland brought to Ukraine 100 mortars of 60 mm caliber and 1500 mines for them. It is possible to supply new batches of such weapons or systems of other calibers. Slovakia helped with ammunition for 120-mm mortars of the Ukrainian army - 12 thousand rounds are transferred.
Help and benefits
The countries of the European Union and NATO, as well as some states outside these blocs, literally within a few days drew up plans for military-technical assistance to Ukraine and immediately began to implement them. Tens of thousands of infantry weapons and ammunition, numerous grenade launchers, mortars, missile systems, etc. have already been handed over to the Ukrainian army. Protective equipment, medicines, fuel, etc. are being actively supplied.
Slovak fighter MiG-29. Despite all the reports, he will not leave his country. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of Slovakia
In parallel with the dispatch of goods, new deliveries of certain goods from different countries are announced. In parallel, the total cost of transferred products is growing. So, since February 24, only according to known data, almost a billion dollars have been allocated to help Ukraine. Most likely, soon the costs will exceed this bar and continue to grow.
It is clear that the main beneficiaries of such deliveries are the donor countries themselves. They have the opportunity to free the warehouses from obsolete weapons, as well as to resolve pressing political issues. In addition, there is a reason to purchase new weapons - modern and at full price. It is not difficult to guess who is most interested in this aspect of current processes.
As for the Ukrainian army, the current supplies will not benefit it and will not be able to fully realize its potential. They allow to some extent make up for the losses of the past days and slightly improve the potential in several areas. However, this growth will be limited and will not allow changing the general state of affairs. The situation on all fronts is such that the proposed batches of machine guns and grenade launchers are no longer of fundamental importance.
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