The United States has sent a mini-arsenal worth billions of dollars to Ukraine in recent months. Here is a list of everything sent: As Russia continues to ravage Ukraine, the United States has increased its military aid, sending thousands of weapons to the war-torn country. The Pentagon has already pledged more than $4 billion in security aid to Ukraine, with a focus on heavy artillery, since Russia launched a targeted attack on the eastern part of the country.
President Joe Biden unveiled a massive new aid package in late April, which includes $20.4 billion in military and security aid to Ukraine and the strengthening of NATO allies. It builds on an earlier offer in April that included $800 million value of weapons and supplies. Biden said the US has the ability to send aid to Ukraine “for a long time,” but added he will have to ask Congress to authorize more funds because the current sanctioned stockpile is almost exhausted.
“Putin is banking on our loss of interest,” Biden said, according to the APadding that the Russian president believes “Western unity is going to crack…and once again we are going to prove him wrong.”
The new aid package, which includes humanitarian and economic assistance totaling $33 billion, mentions additional artillery, armored vehicles and advanced air defense systems, but does not specify which military systems could prevent Russia from anticipating and countering them.
Here is a list of all weapons that the United States has approved to send to Ukraine so far:
1. Over 1,400 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles
The Stinger anti-aircraft system, also known as a surface-to-air missile or surface-to-air missile, is a shoulder-fired portable missile system that can destroy aircraft and other missiles. Raytheon Technologies, the company that produces the Stingers, is struggling to replace weapons donated to Ukraine because the Department of Defense hasn’t bought new ones in 18 years, and so many parts aren’t available in trade, Breaking Defense reported. This means that Raytheon will have to redesign some of the electronics involved in producing Stinger.
MEDITERRANEAN SEA (March 23, 2018) U.S. Marines with Marine Air Control Group (MACG) 28 Low Altitude Air Defense Detachment (LAAD), Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), a Stinger trainer missile fires at a Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier during a Stinger Trainer Launch Simulator (STLS) fire aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) in the Mediterranean Sea, on 23 March 2018. Iwo Jima and the 26th MEU are conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. (US Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sylvia L. Tapia/Released)
NATO Stinger missile. Image credit: Creative Commons.
2. Over 5,500 Javelin anti-tank missiles
The Javelin is an advanced anti-tank weapon that can be carried and thrown by one person. Like the athletic spear that bears its name, the Javelin strikes from above, where a tank’s armor is lightest. The homing weapon has a range of two and a half miles and tracks the thermal image of its target. American-made Javelins have proven has had great success against Russian tanks during the current war.
Javelin anti-tank missile fired from a mortar. Image credit: UK Government.
A Marine Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, fires an FGM-148 Javelin during a TOW combat exercise aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 28-29, 2014. The Marines were conducting basic TOW exercises using live fire and maneuver to ensure they were ready for future deployments.
3. More than 14,000 other anti-armour systems
Anti-armour systems refer to the full range of weapons that target armored vehicles. The US government declined to name certain systems sent to Ukraine so that Russia could not anticipate and counter their effects.
4. Over 700 Switchblade drones
Switchblades, sometimes described as “kamikaze drones”, are self-piloting drones filled with explosives. They are portable and enter two sizes, 300 and 600the former weighing around five and a half pounds and can fit in a backpack, while the latter’s missile alone weighs 33 pounds and is powerful enough to destroy a tank. Because it is both an armed weapon and a flying scout, the switchblade is classified as a “ammunition lying around.” The weapon is called switchblade knives because of the way its spring-loaded wings open during launch. First unveiled in 2011, an expert told Insider that Switchblades could “revolutionize ground warfare.”
Switchblade drone. Image Credit: Industry Document.
Switchblade drone. Image Credit: Industry Document.
5. 90 155mm howitzers and 183,000 155mm artillery shells
The howitzer, essentially a cannon, has the longest range army indirect fire guns. He can shoot up to four revolutions per minute and can hit targets up to 18 miles away. These heavy artillery pieces, which weigh nearly 16,000 poundswill be vital for Ukraine during this new phase of war in the Donbass region, which has flat terrain and rolling plains. The first howitzers from the Pentagon’s latest aid program arrived in Ukraine at the end of April, and US troops teach Ukrainian troops how to use them in an undisclosed part of Europe.
155 mm howitzer. Image credit: Creative Commons.
6. 72 tactical vehicles to tow 155mm howitzers
These tactical vehicles will be used to tow the howitzers, which weigh just under 16,000 pounds.
7. 16 Mi-17 helicopters
Mi-17 helicopters are utility transport vehicles used to move troops from place to place. In addition to carrying personnel, Mi-17s can be armed with cannons and rockets. These helicopters were in fact bought from a Russian state-owned arms exporter in the early 2010s to the Afghan government, The Washington Post reported. At the time, US lawmakers were angered by the purchase, insisting the Pentagon choose an American manufacturer. But the United States chose Russian helicopters because they were relatively cheap and Afghan pilots knew how to fly them.
Mid-17. Image credit: Creative Commons.
8. Hundreds of high mobility multi-purpose wheeled armored vehicles
High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Armored Vehicles (HMMWV), colloquially known as Humvees, are lightweight diesel-powered vehicles used by the armies of 50 countries.
9. 200 M113 armored personnel carriers
Armored personnel carriers, also known as “battlefield taxis”, are designed to transport troops and equipment in combat zones. Although they may be able to shield themselves from some shell fragments, these vehicles cannot take direct hits from anti-tank weapons. There are 40 versions of the M113 APC, and they were used since the Vietnam War.
M113. Image credit: Creative Commons.
10. Over 7,000 small arms
True to their name, small arms are infantry weapons that a soldier can carry, including pistols, rifles, and shotguns, among others.
M40 sniper rifle. Image credit: Creative Commons.
U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew Fiore, a UH-60 Black Hawk squad leader representing the 78th Aviation Troop Command based in Marietta, Georgia National Guard, engages targets with the M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle during the sniper event during the 2022 Georgia National Guard Best Warrior Competition at Fort Stewart, Ga., March 21, 2022. The Best Warrior Competition tests the readiness and adaptability of our forces, preparing our Guardsmen to Georgia to meet the unpredictable challenges of today. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class RJ Lannom Jr.)
11. Over 50 million cartridges
On Monday, the US State Department used an emergency declaration to approve $165 million worth of munitions destined for Ukraine, the AP reported. reported. This is the first time an emergency declaration has been used in the Biden administration, with the last declaration taking place under the Trump administration in 2019 when the former president tried to sell arms to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The State Department said that “extremely low ammunition inventories for [the Ukrainians] systems on the ground” were some of the reasons for the state of emergency, according to the AP.
Image of gun ammunition. Image credit: Creative Commons.
12. 121 Phoenix Ghost Tactical Drones
The Phoenix Ghost is a new tactical drone that has never been used before. According to a senior defense official, the weapon was “rapidly developed by the Air Force in response, in particular, to Ukrainian demands”. Breaking Defense reported. However, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby later denied the statement, saying it was made before war broke out. Kirby declined to comment on the Phoenix Ghost’s specific abilities, but said it was “similar” to the Switchbladea single-use kamikaze drone.
13. Laser-guided rocket systems
Laser-guided rocket systems are traditionally mounted on aircraft, but can also be launched from ground stations or mounted on other vehicles. A system, known as Advanced Precision Weapons Systemturns rockets into precision-guided munitions.
14. Puma Unmanned Aerial Systems
the Puma Unmanned Aerial System is a drone that provides intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance, produced by US defense contractor AeroVironment. The drone can last 150 minutes in the air, has a wingspan of 9.2 feet and can fly up to 37.2 miles.
Puma drone. Image credit: AeroVironment.
15. Unmanned Coastal Defense Vessels
Unmanned Coastal Defense Vessels, sometimes referred to as “drone boatsare ships that operate on the water without a crew. They could be used to intercept or repel other ships, and Ukraine will likely be able to use them to defend against Russian amphibious assaults or attempted operations near Ukraine.
16. M18A1 Claymore Anti-Personnel Ammunition
The M18A1 Claymore is a mine typically used against personnel, but can also be used against unarmored vehicles. Unlike traditional landmines, the Claymore is remote-triggered and fires steel balls.
17. C-4 explosives and demolition equipment for obstacle clearance
The C-4s are plastic explosives used for demolition and metal cutting. They can create a targeted explosion and be used underwater.
Julie Coleman is a member of the military/defense team at Insider. She previously worked for The Philadelphia Inquirer, The New York Post, NY1, Forbes Magazine, and trade publication Financial Planning through the Dow Jones News Fund.
