Ukraine with HIMARS Fights Back at Safer Standoff Distance
Military Assistance Contributes to Air and Waterway Defense
On June 24, in the opening comments at Background Briefing a Senior Defense official shares that at present artillery duel is going on between Ukraine and Russia. The United States is trying to ensure that Ukraine have the capability to fight back and defend with the HIMARS system.
After extensive consultation with Ukraine, the United States has been assisting military packages with a lot of spare parts.
To illustrate the nature of extensive consultation as to capabilities and feedback, the Senior Defense Official shares that she had in contact with Ukraine’s deputy minister of defense; the Secretary of Defense is always in contact with the Minister of Defense.
The Secretary of Defense Austin Lloyd has been spearheading the Ukraine Defense Contact Group where approximately fifty defense minister around the world working together.
Regarding riverine and patrol boat aid, Courtney Kube for the NBC asks about the specific threat that Ukraine asked for to combat that the boats were offered.
The Senior defense official replies that the riverine and patrol boats are largely to protect the river channels and to enable the Ukrainian force to maintain the control of the river ways.
Sylvie Lanteaume, the national security correspondent of the AFP asks why only four HIMARS systems have been delivered. The Senior Defense Official clarifies that the HIMARS is not about volume. It’s about precise targeting, since the HIMARS offers incredible precision.
Tara Copp, senior Pentagon correspondence from the Defense One asks whether there is any chance that there are fighter jet or air defense systems discussions on the table.
The Senior Defense Official explains that Ukraine is skilled in operating the air defense systems. Russia does not control the sky of Ukraine. The focus of the US and allies has been shifted to see, as a priority area, how Ukraine’s existing air defense capabilities can enhanced and bolstered. The US and the allies have made partnership with Slovakia to provide an S-300 system.
