Since 2022, the United States has been providing regular supplies of weapons and military equipment to the Defense Forces of Ukraine. This experience is useful for the Transportation Command of the US Department of Defense (USTRANSCOM). According to the head of the service, General Jacqueline Van Ovost, the most difficult part was sending ammunition to Ukraine.
Earlier this month, the U.S. State Department updated data on the number of weapons that have already been delivered to Ukraine. Speaking of 155-mm artillery shells, at least 3 million shells were delivered. In addition, more than 800,000 of 105-mm shells, more than 400,000 of 152-mm shells, 60,000 of 155-mm RAAM projectiles, more than 600,000 mortar rounds, etc., were delivered.
Read more: The UK Ministry of Defence Buys 300 Large FPV Drones for Ukraine
In addition, more than 10,000 Javelin missiles, more than 9,000 TOW missiles, more than 120,000 other anti-armor systems and munitions, more than 400,000,000 rounds of small arms ammunition and grenades have been delivered.
"We did move a lot of hazardous [material], from a depot on a road, to an airport, or a seaport, to a port, to a train, to a new way to get into Ukraine. I think the hardest thing was linking all those pieces together, because nobody wanted to stockpile anywhere," Jacqueline Van Ovost told Air and Space Forces Magazine.
According to Jacqueline Van Ovost, transporting such a large amount of explosives both through the United States and then across Europe was a unique challenge for them because the ports had restrictions on the amount they could carry "at a time." Therefore, they were forced to constantly monitor the movement of weapons. In particular, where the movement of weapons was slowing down, in order to analyze the situation and, if necessary, redirect the cargo to another port, etc.
The general also noted that the United States takes into account Ukraine's experience in logistics, given the need to adapt to the conditions of daily shelling with long-range weapons.
The command believes that the United States Department of Defense should increase funding for data processing and communication tools to let commanders receive real-time information about where and what weapons are on the way.
For this purpose, the "25 in 25" initiative was approved for transport and tanker jets, to equip 25% of the aircraft fleet with the necessary tools next year, but the implementation of this project is currently behind schedule.
Earlier Defense Express reported that U.S. was planning to send AGM-154 JSOW to Ukraine.
Read more: The UK Defense Intelligence: russian Forces Face Highest Casualty Rates, This War Becomes russia’s Bloodiest Chapter
