Yeah, some USAI spending takes a long time. There's $6.6 billion in previously announced USAI spending (stuff from last summer and earlier) that still hasn't been contracted by the Pentagon.

On the other hand, there's lots of materiel that makes its way very quickly to Ukraine after USAI announcements: things like ammo purchases from other countries and such. I mentioned that Raytheon can likely make new Patriots very quickly, because they can add a shift to the existing production line (current capacity is one Patriot system per month).

So, you shouldn't pay too much attention to one reporter's less-informed throwaway line in a story -- context matters.

EDIT: It's also entirely possible that another customer for a Patriot might be willing to delay acquisition for a month to allow Ukraine to get another system right away. In fact, I would consider this likely.

This post was edited on 4/26/24 at 4:03 am

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Posted by StormyMcMan

USA

Member since Oct 2016

3813 posts

Posted on 4/25/24 at 8:37 pm to GOP_Tiger

ISW Update

quote:
Key Takeaways:

Russian forces are stabilizing their small salient northwest of Avdiivka and may make further tactical gains that could cause Ukrainian forces to withdraw from other tactical positions along the frontline west of Avdiivka to a more defensible line.

Russian offensive operations west of Avdiivka aim to exploit opportunities for tactical gains while the Russian offensive operation to seize Chasiv Yar offers Russian forces the most immediate prospects for operationally significant advances.

US officials are reportedly worried that the latest package of US military aid to Ukraine may not be enough for Ukraine to regain all of its territory. US military assistance is only part of what Ukraine currently needs, moreover, but Ukraine is itself working to address other war fighting requirements - primarily manpower challenges and the expansion of its defense industrial base (DIB).

Russian forces are reportedly fielding drones adapted to be more resilient against Ukrainian electronic warfare (EW) capabilities on critical sectors of the frontline, likely in an attempt to leverage new technological capabilities to exploit a limited window before US security assistance arrives in Ukraine.

A prominent Kremlin-awarded Russian milblogger channel announced that it opened a “media school” in the Balkans, likely supporting Kremlin efforts to expand its reach in the international information space.

French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the importance of Europe’s self-sufficiency for its defense and sovereignty during an April 25 speech.

Ukrainian forces recently made confirmed advances near Siversk, and Russian forces recently made confirmed advances near Avdiivka and the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area.

Russian President Vladimir Putin justified Russia’s ongoing efforts to nationalize Russian enterprises, including defense industrial base (DIB) enterprises on April 25.

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Posted by GOP_Tiger

Baton Rouge

Member since Jan 2005

18158 posts

Posted on 4/26/24 at 5:14 am to GOP_Tiger

It's insane how much the war has changed, even in just the last year.

LINK

quote:
WASHINGTON (AP) — Ukraine has sidelined U.S.-provided Abrams M1A1 battle tanks for now in its fight against Russia, in part because Russian drone warfare has made it too difficult for them to operate without detection or coming under attack, two U.S. military officials told The Associated Press.

quote:
But the battlefield has changed substantially since then, notably by the ubiquitous use of Russian surveillance drones and hunter-killer drones. Those weapons have made it more difficult for Ukraine to protect the tanks when they are quickly detected and hunted by Russian drones or rounds.

Five of the 31 tanks have already been lost to Russian attacks.

quote:
For now, the tanks have been moved from the front lines, and the U.S. will work with the Ukrainians to reset tactics, said Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman Adm. Christopher Grady and a third defense official who confirmed the move on the condition of anonymity.

“When you think about the way the fight has evolved, massed armor in an environment where unmanned aerial systems are ubiquitous can be at risk,” Grady told the AP in an interview this week, adding that tanks are still important.

“Now, there is a way to do it,” he said. “We’ll work with our Ukrainian partners, and other partners on the ground, to help them think through how they might use that, in that kind of changed environment now, where everything is seen immediately.”

quote:
The $1 billion package emphasized counter-drone capabilities

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Posted by Auburn1968

NYC

Member since Mar 2019

20058 posts

Posted on 4/26/24 at 9:55 am to GOP_Tiger

quote:
Yeah, some USAI spending takes a long time. There's $6.6 billion in previously announced USAI spending (stuff from last summer and earlier) that still hasn't been contracted by the Pentagon.

Then too there is the fact that a lot of munitions and equipment have been pre-positioned in Poland for immediate delivery upon approval.

Ukraine is stepping up counter attacks as a result of no longer having to ration materiel.

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