Western nations to send Ukraine more artillery

The U.S. and its allies are preparing to send more artillery systems and rounds as Russia launches a fresh offensive in eastern Ukraine.

The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed in a release that the new security assistance package for Ukraine will include 72 155mm howitzers and 144,000 artillery rounds pulled from existing U.S. military stock.

Last week the U.S. announced it would ship 18 howitzers to Ukraine, along with 40,000 artillery shells to go with them. The U.S. will now ship 72 additional howitzers to Ukraine and 144,000 additional shells. That brings the total number of howitzers to 90.

- ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW -

“These additional 72 howitzers will help basically fit out five more … artillery battalions for the Ukrainians,” Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said. “This was … very much in keeping with their needs, specifically in the Donbas, and the kind of fighting that has already started there and we expect to continue over days and weeks ahead.”

The latest security assistance package also includes 72 tactical vehicles which can be used to tow the howitzers.

Multiple news outlets reported that the Netherlands also decided to transfer its Panzerhaubitze 2000, better known as PzH 2000, advanced artillery system to Ukraine.

Photo by Tyler Kingsbury

The Netherlands will send PzH 2000 self-propelled artillery systems and Germany will teach the Ukrainian military to use them and hand over the necessary ammunition.

The source of the publication clarified that the training will take place in Poland or Germany, as it is impossible to conduct it in Ukraine due to a full-scale war with Russia.

French President Emanuel Macron announced Friday that the country is transferring 155mm Ceaser self-propelled artillery to Ukraine.

If you would like to show your support for what we are doing, here's where to do it.

If you wish to report grammatical or factual errors within our news articles, you can let us know by using the online feedback form.

Executive Editor

About author:

Dylan Malyasov
Dylan Malyasov
Dylan Malyasov is the editor-in-chief of Defence Blog. He is a journalist, an accredited defense advisor, and a consultant. His background as a defense advisor and consultant adds a unique perspective to his journalistic endeavors, ensuring that his reporting is well-informed and authoritative. read more

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

TRENDING NOW

Ukrainian F-16 reportedly shoots down second Russian Su-34

Reports from Russian military bloggers and aviation sources suggest that a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber was downed under mysterious circumstances early this morning. Russian sources close...