Ukraine’s Democracy Arsenal: The US Military Equipment Sent to Help Defeat Putin
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The US pledge of 31 Abrams tanks for Ukraine adds to nearly $30 billion in military and security assistance since the February 24, 2022 invasion of Russia.
Other military support provided by the US includes several devastating missile systems, thousands of vehicles, and more than 100 million pieces of ammunition.
Here, DailyMail.com provides a breakdown of some of the most expensive and deadly weapons and equipment the US has sent to Ukraine.
M1 Abrams tanks
The main weapon of the M1 Abrams is its M256 120mm smoothbore gun, which has a firing range of about 4,000 meters with conventional ammunition. It can accommodate a crew of four, weighs 73.6 tons, and has a range of 264 miles with a 1,500 HP gas turbine engine.
Cost: $400 million total
Quantity: 31 tanks
Game changer: The $400 million package for the M1 Abrams tank (pictured above) announced Wednesday also includes eight M88 Recovery Vehicles, tank-like tracked vehicles that can tow the Abrams if it gets stuck.
HIMARS rocket and ammunition systems
The United States has offered 16 high-mobility artillery rocket systems to Ukraine. The truck-mounted launchers, developed by Lockheed Martin, can fire six guided missiles at a range of up to 50 miles, or more, depending on the ammunition used.
Cost: $4 million per unit, $110,000 per missile
Quantity: 16
The truck-mounted HIMARS launchers fire GPS-guided missiles capable of hitting targets up to 50 miles away, a distance that puts them out of range of most Russian artillery systems.
HIMARS rocket systems
High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) are recognized as one of the most advanced rocket artillery systems in the world. It can fire six guided missiles in quick succession. Ukraine has already used the system against Russian forces to devastating effect, targeting both soldiers and infrastructure. An attack on New Year’s Day killed at least 63 Russian soldiers.
Cost: About $5 million per unit
Quantity: 38, plus ammunition
patriot missiles
Patriot stands for On-Target Interception Phased Array Tracking Radar. The expensive surface-to-air missile system is one of the most advanced of its kind. The United States promised a Patriot battery to Ukraine in December. A senior Defense Department official said it “will give Ukraine a critical long-range capability to defend its airspace.”
Cost: $10 million per launcher, $4 million per missile
Quantity: one battery, plus ammunition
The Patriot is a surface-to-air guided missile system that was first deployed in the 1980s and can target aircraft, cruise missiles, and short-range ballistic missiles.
Howitzers (105mm and 155mm)
The M777 is the main 155mm howitzer provided to Ukraine by the United States. The gun weighs about 9,300 pounds, has a 16.7-foot barrel, and has a firing range of 13 miles with one conventional artillery round.
Cost: $570,000 per unit
Quantity: 232 units, plus 1.4 million rounds
The British-made M777 is an ultralight howitzer first used in the 2001 Afghanistan conflict.
Mi-17 helicopters
The United States initially purchased a fleet of Mi-17 helicopters, a Russian-developed Soviet-designed military aircraft, for Ukraine for the Afghan military in the early 2010s. Washington Post reported that the plane was undergoing US-contracted maintenance out of Afghanistan when the Taliban took control of the country. They are primary staff planes, but can be equipped with weapons.
Cost: $17 million per unit
Quantity: 20
The United States initially purchased a fleet of Mi-17 helicopters, a Russian-developed Soviet-designed military aircraft, for Ukraine for the Afghan military in the early 2010s.
The National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System is a highly adaptable medium-range air defense solution that can engage a variety of airborne threats, including aircraft, cruise missiles, and UAVs.
National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS)
The NASAMS air defense system can engage a variety of airborne threats, including aircraft, cruise missiles, and UAVs. Six of the eight systems promised to Ukraine will be delivered as part of a $1.2 billion contract awarded by the US Army earlier this month.
Cost: About $2 billion in total
Quantity: eight by 2025
The Harpoon is an anti-ship missile and can travel at speeds of up to 587 mph at a range of 100 miles.
Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems
The United States has promised Ukraine two vehicle-mounted Harpoon launch systems. The systems fire anti-ship missiles. Officials say the United States will procure the launchers, while its allies will provide the missiles, which can cost up to $1.5 million each.
Cost: Unknown
Quantity: two systems (ally supplied missiles)
Phoenix Ghost/Switchblade Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems
The Phoenix Ghost and Switchblade models of unmanned aerial systems are just two of the various drone technologies that the US has provided to Ukraine. Phoenix Ghost and Switchblades are designed to attack a variety of targets. Other US-provided drones can perform reconnaissance and surveillance tasks.
Cost: about $17 million
Quantity: About 2,500
The Phoenix Ghost and Switchblade models of the unmanned aerial system are just two of the various drone technologies that the US has provided to Ukraine.
javelin missiles
Several countries have supplied Javelin missiles to Ukraine since the Russian invasion. The missile is usually fired from a shoulder-mounted launcher and is automatically guided to its target. Several videos have been posted online of Ukrainian troops using the missiles against Russian forces.
Cost: Up to $250,000 per missile
Quantity: 8,500 missiles
various radar systems
The various radar systems supplied by the US to Ukraine range from aerial surveillance systems to counter-artillery radars.
Quantity: At least 86
Cost: Unknown
The Javelin missile is an advanced anti-tank surface-to-air missile that is launched from the shoulder.
Several radar systems, such as the AN/TPQ-53, have proven experience in detecting mortars, rockets, and artillery. The United States supplied radar systems to Ukraine
armor and helmets
The United States has provided tens of thousands of key pieces of equipment to support Ukrainian troops on the ground.
Quantity: 75,000 units
Cost: $350 – $800 per unit
various land vehicles
The United States has delivered a wide range of ground vehicles. They include 100 armored medical treatment vehicles, 580 mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles, more than 100 light tactical vehicles and more than 1,700 Humvees.
Quantity: 3,199
Cost: NA
The United States has delivered a wide range of ground vehicles.
US support has also included the delivery of more than 100 million pieces of small arms ammunition, plus millions more rounds for heavy weapons.
Small arms ammunition
US support has also included the delivery of more than 100 million pieces of small arms ammunition, plus millions more rounds for heavy weapons.
Quantity: 111 million rounds
Cost: Unknown
other support
A full list of weapons and equipment committed to the US by Ukraine was shared by the Department of State on January 18 and reveals the magnitude of what has been promised to help defeat Russia.
Other help includes protective equipment, medical supplies, hundreds of generators, plus the promise of funding for training.