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| Photo Credit: AFP/Getty. |
The United States is helping Ukraine defend its territory against Russian invasion by accelerating the production of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems also known as HIMARS, Newsweek quoted a Pentagon official as saying Friday.
Under
Secretary of Defense for Acquisition William LaPlante said this after visiting
Lockheed Martin facilities in Camden, Arkansas that produce HIMARS and other
Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS), Newsweek cited a news release
from the Department of Defense (DoD).
Is Ukraine effectively deploying HIMARS in its defense against the invading Russian forces?
The
statement from the DoD noted that Ukraine is “effectively employing” the
lightweight mobile launches and precision-strike munitions produced in the
facilities.
"As we
continue providing security assistance to Ukraine, we are working with industry
to accelerate production of critical weapons and systems," LaPlante said,
according to Newsweek.
"This
includes providing funding to buy more equipment, expand production lines, and
support additional hiring and workforce development."
LaPlante
said U.S. officials "will continue to closely consult with Ukraine on
capability needs–and as President Biden has said, our goal is straightforward:
The United States wants to see a democratic, independent, sovereign and
prosperous Ukraine with the means to deter and defend itself against further
aggression."
Biden announces fresh $3 billion in new military aid to Ukraine
On Wednesday
President Joe Biden said he is sending almost $3 billion in new military aid to
support Ukraine in its defense against invading Russian forces.
The package
of equipment and ammunition will include an unspecified number of anti-drone
systems called Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment, or
VAMPIRE, according to Newsweek.
President
Biden said the security package is provided through the Ukraine Security
Assistance Initiative, which provides funding to purchase weapons and
equipment.
"The
United States of America is committed to supporting the people of Ukraine as
they continue the fight to defend their sovereignty," Biden said,
according to Newsweek.
"This
will allow Ukraine to acquire air defense systems, artillery systems and
munitions, counter-unmanned aerial systems, and radars to ensure it can
continue to defend itself over the long term."
US provides more HIMARS and rockets to Ukraine
The U.S. has
in the past weeks provided precision weaponry including additional rockets for
the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems or HIMARS, thousands of artillery
rounds, mortar systems, Javelins and other ammunition and equipment. The HIMARS
and artillery systems have helped Ukraine to turn around the tide of the war,
preventing Russia from conquering new territories, according to military
commanders and some U.S. officials.
“At every stage of this conflict, we have been
focused on getting the Ukrainians what they need, depending on the evolving
conditions on the battlefield,” Colin Kahl, undersecretary of defense for
policy, said in announcing the new weapons shipment, early this month.
The latest
weapons are sourced from the Defense Department shelves and could translate to
faster deliveries.
Kahl
estimated that Russian forces have sustained up to 80,000 deaths and injuries
in the Ukraine war without giving further details.
The defense
official said Russian troops have gained “incremental” ground in eastern Ukraine
but not in recent weeks.
“But that
has come at extraordinary cost to the Russian military because of how well the
Ukrainian military has performed and all the assistance that the Ukrainian
military has gotten. And I think now, conditions in the east have essentially
stabilized and the focus is really shifting to the south.”
The U.S. and
its allies may be considering the supply of fighter jets to Ukraine, Kahl
noted, saying It’s “not inconceivable that western aircraft down the road could
be part of the mix,” he said.