After a meeting of representatives from five dozen countries at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Lloyd Austin, the US Secretary of Defense, came with him. “We will do everything we can to make sure (Ukrainians) have everything they need to be effective,” Austin said.
Ukraine described the NATO meeting in Brussels as historic
According to Ben Wallace, his British counterpart, these weapons will help Ukraine defend its skies from attack and, in general, strengthen its anti-missile defenses.
“The Allies provide anti-aircraft systems, but others are needed. There is a need for short and long range systems to shoot down ballistic missiles or drones, “NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg specified before the meeting.
The weapons will go to Ukraine as quickly as possible, Brussels said. Kiev described the Brussels meeting as historic. Ukraine has repeatedly asked Western countries to supply the modern anti-aircraft systems needed to create a “defense umbrella” for months.
In the event of a Russian nuclear attack on Ukraine, French nuclear weapons will remain in effect
War in Ukraine
“We informed the participants of the meeting with the results of our efforts to ensure control over the arms obtained by international partners”, assured Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov.
IRIS can destroy missiles at a distance of 20 kilometers
Ukraine has already received the first IRIS-T SLM air defense system from Germany. The handover was originally scheduled for November, but Russian strikes have accelerated it. Two more of these short- and medium-range self-propelled anti-aircraft systems developed by Diehl Defense will be delivered to the Ukrainians next year.
The system consists of a powerful surveillance radar, a multifunctional shooting radar, a tactical operations center (TOC) and a launcher. The launcher has all the necessary elements such as a computer for weapon control, a generator or antennas, so it can be set up to 20km away from the TOC, where two operators work.
The system uses IRIS-T SL missiles. There are eight of them and they are launched vertically to allow for 360 degree coverage. The pitcher is ready to fire ten minutes after reaching position. It also allows for simultaneous attack on multiple targets. Charging takes about 15 minutes.
The Netherlands will provide Ukraine with air defense for 15 million euros after the Russian air strikes
Foreigner
Berlin also announced Wednesday that it will send more PzH 2000 howitzers and MARS II rocket launchers to the attacked country in the coming weeks.
France and the Netherlands will also supply air defense and radar systems worth tens of millions of euros to the attacked country. Neither Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren nor French President Emmanuel Macron specified what exactly it was for the media. The head of the Elysée only stressed that they should first protect the Ukrainian population from drones.
London will provide cruise missile protection
Britain is also donating anti-aircraft missile systems to Ukraine, along with hundreds of surveillance drones and 18 howitzer systems. According to Sky News, London will supply Kiev with AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range missiles capable of shooting down cruise missiles for the first time. Their “two-digit number” is expected to arrive in the country in the coming weeks. The United States has announced the imminent delivery of two NASAMS anti-aircraft systems.
Canada is donating armored vehicles, howitzers ammunition, communications equipment, drone cameras and winter clothing to Ukraine for CAD 47 million (NOK 863 million), Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand announced.
NATO countries will jointly purchase air defense systems
Europe
Alexander Venediktov, the deputy head of the Russian Security Council, said Thursday in an interview with TASS that “the activities (of the Western states) indicate that they are immediately one of the parties to the conflict”. According to him, the eventual admission of Ukraine to NATO would guarantee the escalation of the conflict until the third world war.
