President Joe Biden has announced that the USA will be sending a range of new weapons to Ukraine. This comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a heartfelt request to the American Congress for additional military assistance.
This latest American military aid is worth $800 million, and it brings the total amount in just one week to $1 billon. Included in this shipment are a number of weapons capable of bringing down Russian aircraft. Although this will undoubtably help the war effort America is still refusing to enforce a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
To understand what new weapons will soon arrive in Ukraine here is a detailed breakdown:
Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS)
These surface-to-air missile launchers are easy to transport and can be fired from a soldier’s shoulder. They pose a significant risk to low flying aircraft and are particularly effective against helicopters.
They fire infrared guided Stinger missiles that are designed to home in on the heat source produced by an aircraft. 800 Stinger missiles are included in this latest shipment.
Javelin Anti-Tank Missiles
Also known as ‘Saint Javelin’ these missiles are also shoulder-fired. They use a fire-and-forget system that allows the operator to fire the missile and then immediately take cover. Once this infrared guided missile has locked onto a tank it flies high above them and then drops down vertically. This allows them to hit the tank where the armor is at its thinnest.
This missile has become a symbol of the Ukrainian resistance as it has successfully destroyed a large number of Russian armored vehicles and tanks. A further 2000 javelin missiles have been sent this week.
S-300 Long Range Missile Defense
This truck-based missile defense system incorporates a fully automatic missile detecting radar with counterattack missile launchers. It will greatly extend the range that Ukrainian forces can shoot down cruise missiles and Russian aircraft.
Another advantage of the S-300 is that it can engage with multiple targets at the same time. Ironically this system was developed by the Russians.
Switchblade Drones
These lightweight drones are small enough to be carried in a backpack. Once they are launched, they can fly up to 10kms and identify targets through a combination of color and infrared cameras. Known as ‘Kamikaze Drones’ they engage a target by flying directly into them.
This makes them like a missile with one big exception; they can engage targets much further away than other line-of-sight missiles. This ability to engage long-range targets will greatly improve the Ukrainian ability to target Russian tanks. Thus far, America has supplied 100 of these drones.
Body Amor, Ammunition And Guns
Included in this latest supply of military aid is 25,000 sets of body armor and helmets, 20 million rounds of ammunition and an assortment of 7000 rifles, machine guns and grenade launchers. That’s the value of a lot of apuestas deportivas Peru winnings.
President Biden has promised that America will continue to supply Ukraine with military aid for the duration of the war. They will also impose more serious sanctions to financially isolate Russia from the rest of the world.