Maria Wood
May 27, 2023
May 27, 2023
Under
a number of national and international laws, including the Arms Export Control
Act, the U.S. State Department oversees roughly $55 billion in foreign military
sales annually to allies and partner countries. In addition to the weapons,
offshore buyers receive training and logistical support.
To
find the countries that U.S. Army contractors are selling the most weapons
systems, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the most recent Army Weapon Systems Handbook
for 2020-2021, published by the Army, and identified how many active or in
development systems are being sold to each country. The countries are ranked by
the number of systems being sold to each. We have included notable weapons
systems that each country is purchasing as well. According to the Handbook,
building up our allies' military capabilities can “contribute to global
security.”
One
of the most popular weapon systems is the hellfire family of missiles. bought
by 13 of the 30 countries on the list. An air-to-ground missile, a hellfire can
precisely hit conventional and nonconventional targets. Nine countries
purchased Blackhawk helicopters.
The
majority of the military sales went to NATO allies, such as the U.K., Spain,
and Poland. Army contractors also sold to countries the U.S. has had conflicts
with in the past, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, as the U.S. is trying to
strengthen their militaries.
Yet
the most sales went to Saudi Arabia and Egypt, tied at a total of 15 weapons
systems each. The sales to Saudi Arabia have become controversial recently when
the country decided to cut oil production, thereby leading to higher gas
prices. The Washington Post reported that lawmakers are considering pulling
U.S. troops from the country and stopping all arms sales.
All of the Weapons
the US Has Committed to Ukraine Since the Invasion
October 17, 2022
The U.S. Department of
Defense recently announced an additional $1.1 billion in aid and military
equipment to Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian aggression. On top of funding for
training and equipment maintenance, the new package includes 150 Humvees, over
a dozen advanced rocket systems, and a range of military radar equipment.
The U.S. announced its
latest commitment as continued setbacks for Russian forces on the ground are
escalating tensions in Moscow. Only a week prior, Russian President Vladimir
Putin ordered a partial troop mobilization, effectively calling up reservists
into active duty and boosting weapons production. And within days of the
Pentagon’s latest pledge, Putin raised the specter of nuclear war in a speech
to the Russian parliament.
Since the beginning of the
year, the U.S. has committed to supplying a total of $16.9 billion in military
aid to Ukraine, delivering everything from small arms and medical supplies to
helicopters, drones, and heavy artillery. These weapons, in addition to aid
packages delivered by other allied nations, have proved instrumental to the
success of Ukrainian forces so far.
To identify the military
equipment sent to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion, 24/7 Wall
St. reviewed the DOD’s Sept. 28, 2022 Fact Sheet on U.S. Security Assistance to
Ukraine. The weapons on this list include those that have already been
delivered as well as some the U.S. has committed to supplying at a future date.
Going forward, how much
further the U.S. could be drawn into the conflict remains to be seen. Should
the fighting spill over into any one of the NATO member states that border
Ukraine, the U.S. will be obligated to engage militarily. Additionally, many
fear that continued escalation could result in a confrontation between the world’s
two largest nuclear superpowers – Russia and the United States.
As the war approaches its
eighth month, when, or how it will end is anyone’s guess.
1. Anti-aircraft and
anti-armor systems
The U.S. has committed a
wide range of anti-aircraft weapons to Ukraine as of late September 2022. These
weapons include over 1,400 Stinger missile systems, which are lightweight and
portable surface-to-air weapons that provide Ukraine with a means of countering
Russian threats from the air.
The U.S. has also committed
over 8,500 Javelin anti-armor systems in addition to more than 32,000 other
anti-armor systems. The Javelin is a shoulder-fired weapons system that fires
self-guided rockets designed to be effective against armored vehicles, bunkers,
and caves. Russian defenses have proved largely ineffective against Javelin
rockets, and as a result, the weapons have been successful in removing Russian
tanks from the battlefield and have proved instrumental in Ukraine’s resistance
so far. Javelin launchers can be carried and fired by a single person, and the
rockets have an effective range of up to 1.5 miles.
2. Anti-drone systems
National Advanced
Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, or NASAMS, are medium-range air defense
weapons. They are equipped with Sentinel radar systems and Advanced Medium
Range Air-to-Air Missiles. The government has committed to delivering eight
NASAMS to Ukraine.
NASAMS are capable of
destroying aircraft – including drones – as well as incoming cruise missiles.
Currently, a dozen countries use NASAMS, including Norway, Finland, Spain,
Netherlands, Oman, and Lithuania. NASAMS have also been integrated into the
U.S. National Capital Region’s air defense strategy for over a decade.
3. Anti-radar missiles
Ukraine is receiving an
unspecified number of high-speed anti-radiation missiles, or HARMs, from the
U.S. government. AGM-88 HARMs are supersonic surface-to-air missiles designed
to take out radar-equipped air defense systems.
AGM-88s are manufactured by
Raytheon, weigh about 800 pounds, and cost about $200,000 each. First deployed
in 1984, they are used on F-16s in the U.S. Air Force.
4. Anti-ship missiles
The U.S. is also supplying
Ukraine with naval defense weapons – specifically two Harpoon Coastal Defense
Systems. These missiles are vehicle mounted and designed to take out warships.
Denmark has already provided Ukrainian forces with harpoon missiles, which they
have used for coastal defense along the Black Sea.
Earlier, the DOD approved
the sale of 100 RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Systems for an estimated $2.37 billion to
Taiwan.
5. Anti-tank missiles
Tanks have been crucial to
Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. To aid in Ukraine’s military forces push
back Russian tanks, the U.S. has committed to sending 1,500 tube-launched,
optically-tracked, wire-guided missiles, which are typically used as anti-tank
weapons. These missiles weigh about 50 pounds and can be deployed on a range of
military vehicles, including Humvees.
6. Body armor and other
protective equipment
To improve safety among
Ukrainian fighters, the U.S. has committed to sending over 75,000 sets of body
armor and helmets to the country’s fighting effort. Notably, in light of recent
threats regarding the use of tactical nuclear weapons from Moscow, the U.S. is
also sending nuclear protective equipment, in addition to protective gear for
chemical, biological, and radiological weapons.
7. Combat vehicles
For moving personnel and
material around the battlefield, the U.S. is sending Ukraine several types of
military vehicles. These include 40 MaxxPro Mine Resistant Ambush Protected
Vehicles with mine rollers, to aid in clearing mines. In addition, the U.S.
will supply 200 M113 armored personnel carriers and hundreds of armored high
mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles, commonly known as Humvees.
8. Unmanned Aerial Drones
Ukraine will receive over
700 Switchblade Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems, or drones. The Switchblade
drone, manufactured by AeroVironment, is effectively a flying robot outfitted
with a camera, a GPS system, and explosives. Like many other weapons systems
the U.S. is supplying to Ukrainian fighters, the Switchblade is highly
portable, some are even small and light enough to fit into a backpack and are
rapidly deployable.
The DOD has also obligated
approximately 700 Phoenix Ghost Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems. The Phoenix
Ghost is a similar weapon to the Switchblade drone, but brand new and
specifically tailored for situations similar to that faced by Ukranians
fighting in the Donbas region.
The U.S. will also supply
an unspecified number of Puma drones, a type of surveillance drone, as well as
15 ScanEagle reconnaissance drones.
9. Electronic jamming
technology
The U.S. is sending Ukraine
electronic jamming equipment that can be used for detecting and locating
Russian communication signals and for radiating signals that can jam and
deceive Russian communications and radar.
10. Explosives
The M18A1 Claymores Ukraine
is receiving from the U.S. are command detonated mines that can be effective
against personnel as well as some vehicles. When detonated, the weapon
explodes, releasing about 700 steel balls in a predetermined direction, similar
to a shotgun, with an effective range of about 100 meters.
In addition, the U.S. is
supplying Ukraine with C-4 explosives and demolition munitions for clearing
obstacles and battlefield obstructions.
11. Helicopters
Mi-17s are medium transport
helicopters designed for moving personnel and cargo. These helicopters require
a crew of three and can carry up 24 paratroopers but can also be outfitted with
munitions and serve as a gunship. The U.S. is sending 20 Mi-17s to Ukraine.
Ironically, these helicopters were manufactured by a Russian state-owned arms
contractor. The Pentagon originally procured the helicopters for use in
Afghanistan, selecting them due to their low cost and the familiarity Afghan
pilots had with them.
The Russian military uses
the same helicopter, though it is known in Russia as the Mi-8M.
12. High Mobility Artillery
Rocket System
The High Mobility Artillery
Rocket System, or HIMARS, is a launching system, mounted on a wheeled chassis,
capable of launching two different types of rockets. The system has an
effective range of over 70 kilometers and a relatively low risk of inflicting
collateral damage.
The U.S. is supplying
Ukraine with 34 HIMARS systems along with munitions.
13. Howitzers
Much of the weaponry the
U.S. is supplying to Ukraine includes technologically advanced systems like
drones and homing missiles. The 155mm Howitzer field artillery gun, on the
other hand, operates in much the same way as weaponry considered cutting edge a
century ago. Though the weapon’s payload can often be GPS controlled, the
Howitzer is effectively an artillery cannon. These weapons require a small crew
to operate them and have an effective range of up to 15 miles.
The U.S. has committed to
supplying Ukraine with 126 Howitzers and up to 806,000 155mm artillery rounds
and 2,000 precision-guided artillery rounds – in addition to 20 105mm Howitzers
and 180,000 105mm artillery rounds.
14. Medical supplies
Medical equipment and
supplies, including first aid kits, bandages, and monitors, are among the items
the U.S. has pledged expressly to help save Ukrainian lives during Russia’s
ongoing invasion. Other countries, as well as organizations and individuals are
also donating medical supplies and first aid kits to Ukraine’s fighting effort.
15. Mortars
The 120mm mortar systems
used by the U.S. military come in mounted and unmounted variants. They are
generally used for indirect fire support for combat operations. The U.S. has
committed to sending Ukraine 20 120mm mortar systems along with 85,000 mortar rounds.
16. Optics and night vision
technology
In addition to advanced weapons
and communication systems, the U.S. is sending Ukrainian fighters thousands of
night vision devices, surveillance systems, thermal imagery systems, optics,
and laser rangefinders. These tools can empower individual soldiers with
greater capabilities pertaining to information gathering and battle fighting.
17. Radar
Radar technology can be
essential for conducting military operations – whether on the land or sea or in
the air. So far, the U.S. has pledged over 50 counter-artillery radars, four
counter-mortar radar systems, 20 multi-mission radars, and 10 air surveillance
radars.
18. Laser-guided rocket
systems
The U.S. has pledged an
indefinite number of laser-guided rocket systems to Ukraine. This will include
$22.6 million-worth of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II, or APKWS
II, which is a 70mm rocket guided by a BAE Systems laser guidance kit.
Precision guidance allows the rockets to hit lightly armored targets in
restricted areas while minimizing collateral damage.
Though it remains to be
seen which platform the Ukrainians will use to fire the rockets, experts
speculate that Ukraine may be able to outfit their Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2
drones or the 20 Mi-17 U.S.-provided helicopters with the rockets.
19. Satellite and
communication technology
Commercial satellite
imagery is one of several intelligence sharing initiatives the U.S. facilitated
to aid Ukraine’s fight against the Russian invasion. Through a partnership with
over 100 companies, including Maxar, BlackSky, and Planet, hundreds of
commercial satellites are providing Ukraine and NATO nations with images of
Russian troop movement and battlefield organization.
20. Ships
In addition to a wide range
of vehicles and weapons for ground combat, the U.S. is also supplying Ukraine
with naval weaponry. These weapons and ships include an unspecified number of
unmanned coastal defense vessels and 18 coastal and riverine patrol boats.
21. Small arms
Along with transport
vehicles, artillery, and technologically advanced weapons systems, the U.S. is
also providing Ukraine with thousands of small arms for Ukrainian fighters to
carry. These include thousands of rifles, pistols, shotguns, machine guns, and
grenade launchers – plus over 60 million rounds of ammunition.
The U.S. has committed to
sending a range of ground vehicles to Ukraine, supplementing combat vehicles
and serving a variety of special purposes. The trucks and utility vehicles the
U.S. will supply include 276 tactical vehicles to tow weapons and material, 22
tactical vehicles to recover equipment, 100 armored medical treatment vehicles,
and 44 trucks and 88 trailers to transport heavy equipment.
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