Ukraine conflict: More HIMARS, Patriot ammunition for Ukraine to come …

The northern lights glow behind a Patriot M903 launching station assigned to 5th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, during Exercise ‘Arctic Edge 2022' at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, on 5 March 2022. The Patriot system allows soldiers to detect, analyse, and defend against incoming air and missile threats. (USAF)

The latest US security assistance package will allocate about USD200 million worth of equipment for Ukraine, including 155 mm and 105 mm artillery rounds and ammunition for air-defence systems, according to a 14 August US Department of Defense (DoD) announcement.

The additional munitions for air defence included Patriot missiles and High-Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARSs), two of the most well-known weapons provided to the Ukrainian forces.

Mine-clearing equipment and systems are also included. Officials have said in recent months that mines have become the greatest threat to Ukrainian forces since the counteroffensive started.

Brigadier General Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, confirmed there were no dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICMs) included in the package. The cluster munitions will serve as a bridging capability for the 155 mm artillery shells as production ramps up.

Part of the package included 120 mm tank ammunition, which can be fired by the M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks, on which the US is training Ukrainians. The tanks are set to arrive in the next few months.

To defeat Russian tanks, the US included more Javelin and other anti-armour systems and rockets, but did not specify which ones.

As in previous packages, the US is promising tactical trailers for towing and hauling equipment as well as demolition munitions for clearing obstacles to increase mobility on the battlefield.