During an interview, the terrific @MarquardtA asked me why the US wasn’t delivering the weapons “some” in UKR said they had requested (1000 artillery, 500 tanks, etc).
I cited @SecDef press conference from Madrid yesterday, where Austin rebuked the same question. 1/9
The @SecDef noted he was specifically coordinating equipment transfer and weapons priorities with Ukraine’s Defense Minister Reznikov.
Reznikov’s top priorities are:
-Long Range fires
-Armor vehicles
-Mid-range ADA systems
-Howitzers
Then Austin provided some numbers…2/
-Reznikov asked for 10 battalions of artillery, the west has provided 12.
-R asked for 200 tanks, UKR has received 270
-Ukraine received 97,000 anti-tank missiles, more than they requested, which is also more than the number of tanks in the entire world. 3/
-The west has shipped 500,000 rds of arty ammo, most is precision GPS
–POL, UK, NL, Canada, GE are all sending long-range precision strike wpns & ammo (HIMARs & MLRS).
-US sending Harpoon anti-ship missiles…and more
Training & support for all is also included. 4//
Austin was speaking from Madrid, where the 3d meeting of the “contact group” was coordinating weapon “packages” to ship to UKR.
That group now has 50 nations…Georgia & Moldova are now a part.
National “packages” all combine weapons, training & maintenance support. 5/
Austin addressed how western systems didn’t have to “match” RU weapon in #s, as capabilities far outweigh RUn quality. (critically important point)
GEN Milley also reported those training on HIMARs in Germany finished yesterday & those systems will be operational. 6/
.@MarquardtA also played a tape of UKR MinDef Reznikov saying his engagement w/ Austin & other inf the contact group allowed him to “look them all in the eyes.”
Reznikov then said, “I know they support us & will continue to support us…Sec Austin understands our needs.” 7/
There will be those who report on what “someone” in UKR says is needed, or how it should’ve been there faster or earlier, or that someone on the front lines doesn’t have all they require.
But as a former soldier, this equipping effort on day 113 of the fight… 8/
- which is supporting & growing a modern army in combat - is extremely challenging.
It will continue…& there will likely be a “next phase” where the equipping, training, & maintenance needs will be different & tougher.
In my view, UKR still has the advantage. 9/9
Dunno why everyone isn’t closer to being on the same page wrt to the numbers of weapons requested vs supplied.
