Summary:
NATO to discuss best ways to shield Ukrainian infrastructure from devastating blows. Air defense is the delivery method most likely to occur in the near future. West may “MacGyver” an air defense system for Ukraine by integrating various capabilities. The real question is what each nation will be willing to give up from their supply. The neglect of air and cruise missile defense over the previous two decades has now caught up with the Ukrainians and us.
Ukraine is pressuring the U.S. to expedite the delivery of two advanced surface-to-air missile systems in the next month. The RAND Corporation recommends putting a premium on air defenses. U.S. officials said they are sending equipment to Ukraine as soon as feasible and pointed out that Ukraine is already utilising its current missile defense systems. Lawmakers demanded on Tuesday that the Biden administration deploy more advanced weapons to Kyiv right away after the bombardment of Russian missile attacks.
According to Ambassador Julianne Smith, the alliance intends to discuss the best ways to shield Ukrainian infrastructure from the devastating blows. Air defence is the delivery method most likely to occur in the near future.
In a briefing held by her office, Smith stated, “We are now changing again to air defense.” She noted that in earlier phases, NATO’s reaction was focused on what Ukraine required at particular points in the war, especially munitions and coastline defence. The “crux of the discourse tomorrow” will be air defences at the first two days of meetings at the NATO headquarters in Brussels.
The events will include the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, which will be presided over by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and a gathering of NATO defense ministers.
The problem, according to Tom Karako, a senior scholar at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, is that the West has few air defense systems that are immediately accessible for donation. For instance, Washington has repeatedly refused Ukraine’s requests for the Patriot missile defence system because of the equipment’s relative scarcity, among other factors.
Other immediate options are the U.S. Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar systems and the German InfraRed Imaging System Tail, an air-to-air short-to medium-range infrared homing missile. An Iron Dome from Israel would also work, although Tel Aviv is expected to reject that idea.
According to Karako, there is not enough to go around.
John Kirby, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, informed reporters on Tuesday that cruise missiles fired from distant planes in Russian airspace were used in the vast majority of the strikes in Ukraine over the weekend. Although some of the approaching missiles were successfully shot down by Ukrainian air defenses, Kirby stressed that “there is no one silver bullet weapon system” to deal with the threat.
The issue of defending the American people against missile and drone assaults, particularly in the Middle East, is still one that the U.S. military has not adequately addressed. Iranian cruise missiles and drones continuously threaten American infrastructure and personnel.
According to Karako, by integrating various capabilities, the West may “MacGyver” an air defense system for Ukraine. The real question is what each nation will be willing to give up from their supply.
According to Karako, the neglect of air and cruise missile defence over the previous two decades has now caught up with the Ukrainians and us. This looks like what it looks like when you face an enemy with a lot of air and missile power because we’ve taken air superiority for granted for far too long. Surprise, surprise, demand for air defence is extreme.
Zelensky continues to pressure the G-7 countries to develop air defenses quickly. Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of NATO, stated that getting those systems to Ukraine was “essential.”
According to Barry Pavel of the RAND Corporation, “there is a range of priority capabilities that this and the next phase of the war would recommend putting a premium on,” and more sophisticated air defenses would be one of them.
According to POLITICO this week, Kyiv has rearranged its wish list for weapons as it gets ready for Russia to attack civilian targets after its successful counteroffensives in the east and south, with air defenses jumping to the top of the list.
An adviser to the Ukrainian government and a congressional staffer who was not authorised to comment on the record said that Kyiv renewed its urgent request for those capabilities on Monday. Foreign Policy initially reported the revelation. In particular, Ukraine is pressuring the United States to expedite the delivery of two advanced surface-to-air missile systems in the next month.
According to the congressional aide, Kyiv has also requested the C-RAM and the Avenger, a mobile, short-range air defense system placed on a vehicle.
U.S. officials said they are sending equipment to Ukraine as soon as feasible and pointed out that Ukraine is already utilising its current missile defence systems. For instance, a video posted on Twitter shows the Ukrainian army using the shoulder-fired Igla surface-to-air missile system to destroy an approaching cruise missile.
Kirby emphasised that the U.S. and its Western partners had previously given Ukraine air defences, including Slovakia’s S-300 missile system and shoulder-fired U.S. Stinger anti-air missiles. According to Kirby, the US also hired Raytheon to construct eight more NASAMS, but the Pentagon has stated that it will be years before the systems are delivered.
In the future, Kirby added, “We will continue to cooperate with them on additional needs, including continuing to talk to them about additional air defense capabilities.” “I have nothing else to announce,” the speaker said.
Additionally, lawmakers demanded on Tuesday that the Biden administration deploy more advanced weapons to Kyiv right away after the bombardment of Russian missile attacks. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) asked Biden to dispatch fighter jets and longer-range air defenses.
Risch stated that “Putin’s barrage of strikes on civilian structures in Ukraine today, including a kids’ playground and water and power plants, is proof that Russia is a terrorist state committing acts of genocide.” Better arming and equipping Ukraine will enable Ukraine to conclude this war more quickly and help save lives. The Biden administration must take more action to defend Ukraine.
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) encouraged the West to provide more air defense systems and long-range artillery.
He said that the United States and the free world would continue to assist Ukraine. “Putin must understand that such horrific escalation and war crimes will not break that commitment.”
Analysis by: Advocacy Unified Network
