Did the US Give Ukraine Advanced Missiles If Not, Why Not?
The question of whether the United States has provided advanced missile systems to Ukraine has been a topic of considerable discussion. The HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) artillery provided by the US to Ukraine is considered advanced. However, it’s important to understand that the best targeting packages have not been included, yet compared to the dumb artillery used by both Ukraine and Russia, they are indeed very advanced. The US has also provided smart artillery munitions, which can convert dumb artillery into smart artillery through the munitions themselves, enhancing their effectiveness.
Context of Weapon Supply
Most of the advanced weaponry being sent to Ukraine is referred to as ‘leftovers’ or ‘excess inventory’ from previous military operations. These could be from former Soviet bloc countries who are eager to get rid of useful yet outdated Soviet-era equipment. The rationale behind this is to move out old but still useful items and replace them with more advanced and high-end weaponry. It’s remarkable how Ukraine has managed to defeat Russia with these NATO leftovers.
Western Powers and Advanced Weaponry
While none of the Western powers, including the US, have supplied their most advanced weapon systems, the weaponry currently in use by Ukraine and other Western nations does qualify as advanced, especially in comparison to Russia’s. The HIMARS systems, Javelin and NLAW anti-tank systems, and Patriot air defense systems are highly advanced, as are some of the self-propelled artillery systems. The main battle tanks (MBTs) currently entering Ukraine are undoubtedly advanced and superior to what Russia is fielding.
Specific Missile Systems Procured by Ukraine
Ukraine has indeed received several advanced missile systems from the US, including: Anti-Ship Harpoons for maritime operations Air defense systems like Stingers/NASAMS Counter-Radar HARMS, which are highly effective in anti-radar missions
These systems are not only robust but also play a crucial role in Ukraine’s defense strategy. The successful integration of these systems into Ukraine's arsenal has demonstrated their effectiveness on the battlefield.
Role of Intelligence and Coordination
The success of Ukrainian forces can also be attributed to the near real-time American intelligence being shared with Ukraine. The Ukrainian military’s ability to detect and identify soft and easy Russian targets time and time again is a direct result of this intelligence sharing. The combination of the NSA’s electronic capabilities and the trained forces of the British military has significantly contributed to the effectiveness of Ukrainian forces on the battlefield. This intelligence support has allowed Ukrainian troops to operate at a higher level, “punching above their weight” as it were.
The coordination with the US and NATO has beencritical for ensuring that the right mix of weaponry and intelligence is being provided to Ukraine. The US has shared technology and intelligence only as necessary to allow the Ukrainian military to defend itself effectively against Russian aggression.
While the supply of advanced missile systems to Ukraine has been a significant factor in their success against Russian forces, it is the combination of advanced weaponry, intelligence sharing, and military training that has truly elevated Ukraine’s military capabilities.