A media source revealed that the artillery shells will be among the first weapons goods to be transferred to Ukraine.
Ukraine also relies on the US to provide a number of surface-to-air missile systems, as well as additional interceptors for the Patriot air defense system, the main means of countering Russian missile attacks on cities and key infrastructure such as power plants.
Finally, in addition to its immediate weapons needs, Ukraine is also likely to receive ATACMS as part of the first tranche of supplies.
The US has already provided Ukraine with shorter-range versions of the ATACMS, but Ukrainian officials have made no secret of their desire to receive a newer version. With a range of around 300 kilometers, these missiles will give Kiev’s military the ability to step up attacks on Russian airfields, fuel and weapons depots, which will have a long-term impact on Russia’s military capabilities.
Once the weapons cross the border, authorities in Kyiv will try to get them to where they are most needed as quickly as possible. But this will still present a serious logistical problem given the huge amount of equipment.
The $61 billion aid bill for Ukraine, passed by the US House of Representatives on April 19, will go to the Senate on April 23. If the bill passes the upper house of Congress, US President Joe Biden said he would sign it immediately so “we can quickly send weapons and equipment to Ukraine to meet its immediate combat needs”.
Now that new US military aid is likely to be approved, the question is how quickly vital ammunition, such as 155mm howitzer shells, can reach the front lines, CNN points out.
Last week, Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder said the US Department of Defense was “ready to respond quickly” once the relevant order was given.
“As you know, we have a very robust logistics network that allows us to move materials very quickly,” Ryder emphasized.
