During the traditional briefing after the next package of aid to Ukraine, the Pentagon raised questions that concern not only Ukrainians: when the Armed Forces of Ukraine will receive Western fighter jets and the ATACMS long-range ballistic missiles.
The Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Colin Kahl, answered these questions as follows. In particular, that Ukraine should not count on Western aircraft in the near future.
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"It is necessary to ensure that Ukraine can use the aviation that is now available to achieve an effect in the current conflict... Because even if such a decision is made [regarding the transfer of aircraft], they will not receive them for years," Colin Kahl said.
At the same time, the Pentagon made it clear that they will help Ukraine expand the capabilities of the aircraft currently in service with the Air Force of Ukraine, giving the example of the successful integration of the AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missile.
Regarding the transfer of the ATACMS ballistic missiles, the Deputy Secretary of Defense of the United States emphasized once again that now GMLRS missiles, in accordance with consultations with the Ukrainian side, are fully sufficient to fulfill all the current tasks facing Ukraine’s military.
Also, as Colin Kahl noted, according to his estimates, within the next three years, Ukraine will mostly switch to NATO weapons, which does not exclude the use of Soviet weapons. The Pentagon also reminded that the defense-industrial complex of Ukraine is quite powerful and independently creates extremely effective weapons.
But, if we look at the long-term perspective, then it should be taken into account that now the Armed Forces of Ukraine use a real "zoo" of different systems that has been handed over since February 24 by more than 50 countries. Of course, in the future, the Armed Forces of Ukraine will withdraw from it, so now Ukraine and the allies are discussing the "outline" of the Ukrainian army of the future.
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