What types of weapons is Ukraine requesting from the West?
Kyiv ended the year with disappointing results. The counteroffensive failed, and Western allies were unable to approve an aid package for Ukraine in December.
Washington and Brussels are unlikely to abandon their weary but loyal "puppet" government in this difficult situation. What kind of aid can they provide to Ukraine? The details are in Sputnik's report.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated that since the spring of 2022, Western countries have delivered 5,220 tanks and armored vehicles, 80 helicopters, 28 aircraft, 23,000 UAVs, and more than 1,300 artillery systems to Kyiv. The Russian army has had to deal with all of this equipment on the battlefield – except for Abrams tanks, which have been absent from combat.
Today, the Ukrainian Armed Forces comprise some of the most "diverse" armies in the world in terms of weaponry. For example, the Ukrainian tank fleet currently includes at least seven types of main battle tanks. The diversity of artillery pieces would make any major military museum envious.
However, Western combat vehicles did not help Kyiv reverse the tide in the conflict with Russia. Expensive armored vehicles were blown up when they entered minefields, destroyed by missile attacks launched from helicopters or by very cheap kamikaze drones; Ukrainian Armed Forces artillery was overwhelmed by Russian rocket artillery systems (the Russian Armed Forces had mastered counter-artillery tactics during the special military operation).
Give us the advanced fighter jets.
The Ukrainian command understands that fighting is impossible without an active air presence. Russia, meanwhile, is actively using its air force. That is why Kyiv has long requested modern fighter jets from the West. Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway have agreed to transfer approximately 60 older F-16 fighter jets to Kyiv, but it is unclear when these aircraft will arrive in Ukraine.
It is also unclear where these aircraft will be stationed, as Ukrainian airfields are not suitable for the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Finally, will they have enough time to train Ukrainian pilots to operate the F-16s and to train technicians and engineers?
In early December, Kyiv handed over a list of weapons it requested from the US and the West, including F/A-18 Hornet multirole fighter jets, Apache and Black Hawk helicopters, C-17 and C-130 military transport aircraft, and MQ-9B Sky Guardian drones.
The heavy F/A-18 Hornet multirole fighter is a rather unique aircraft, originally designed as a carrier-based aircraft. It doesn't offer any significant advantages over the F-16. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Armed Forces' interest in Western helicopters is understandable: Ukraine has virtually no air force of its own, not to mention the few miraculously surviving Mi-8/17s.
The AH-64 Apache attack helicopter has proven itself a formidable weapon, but… it's very complex. Training Apache pilots takes a long time. The Black Hawk transport helicopter is also not easy to master. Both types of helicopters are not cheap. An Apache costs around $52 million; a Black Hawk costs around $25 million.
Furthermore, Kyiv is facing problems with its military transport aircraft: the few aircraft still in service have reached the end of their lifespan, and there are no longer any places to manufacture new ones. The American C-17 (costing around $310 million each) and the C-130 (around $65 million each) are considered replacements for the Soviet-era aircraft.
Of course, they could train pilots to fly them. But, Ukraine would need a lot of transport planes, otherwise it would be inefficient. Besides, transport planes are easy targets and slow: they are excellent prey for Russia's frontline air defenses and air force.
It is highly unlikely that the West will transfer the MQ-9B Sky Guardian reconnaissance-attack UAV to Ukraine. Firstly, Russia could easily neutralize it with jamming. Secondly, it possesses very good characteristic features. The US realizes that if even one MQ-9B falls into Russian hands, it will significantly boost the Russian military's drone development program.
Iskander anti-missile system
Of course, the West will continue to provide military aid to Kyiv. However, supplies will be limited until the European and American defense industries reach the necessary production rates. There has been no discussion of any new weapons.
For example, Kyiv has requested the THAAD missile defense system. Clearly, in theory, this is one of the few air defense systems capable of intercepting Russia's Iskander-M tactical-operational missiles. However, it's uncertain whether the US will transfer THAAD to Kyiv. The equipment is very expensive: a complex consisting of six mobile launchers, a radar, a control center, and support vehicles costs approximately $2 billion. Whether Washington can meet this request (and even in a presidential election year) remains a big, unanswered question.
Reinforcement of Ukrainian Navy forces.
Finally, a few words about the fleet. In 2024, the Ukrainian Navy will receive the Turkish-built missile frigate Hetman Ivan Mazepa. However, a frigate is unlikely to pose a significant challenge to the Russian Black Sea Fleet, which is actively modernizing. In fact, the Ukrainian fleet has no other warships.
