Pentagon uses sea to supply weapons to Ukraine more often - The Washington Post
The Washington Post writes that the U.S. has begun to use maritime transportation to transport weapons to Ukraine more frequently.
Here's What We Know
Since the beginning of Russian aggression, America has relied heavily on aircraft, which deliver weapons much faster. But sea shipping has its own advantage - it allows more cargo to be transferred.
The Defense Department, for example, began sending some items by sea in the weeks after the invasion, but has expanded efforts significantly this spring as the United States began shipping howitzer artillery and other heavy weapons to Ukraine, which requires a steady stream of large-caliber ammunition.
Of course, U.S. military officials do not name specific routes, but they note that some weapons coming from the continental United States are getting straight to the battlefield. While planes can reach Europe much faster, ships can carry huge amounts of cargo, which could allow Ukraine to build a larger arsenal for future military campaigns.
Among the weapons the Pentagon has delivered to Ukraine are more than 1,400 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, 8,500 Javelin anti-tank missiles (crucial for destroying Russian tanks), 700 Switchblade drones and 142 artillery pieces with over 900,000 rounds of ammunition. And the U.S. recently announced a new military aid package worth nearly $3 billion.
"This may be our largest security assistance package to date, but let me be clear: It will not be our last," stressed Colin Kahl, deputy U.S. secretary of state.
Source: The Washington Post
Go Deeper:
- Defense Ministry: The Armed Forces have more than 20 HIMARS, M270 and MARS - all in service
- Pentagon awarded Raytheon Missiles & Defense a $182 million contract to buy NASAMS for Ukraine
- The U.S. will transfer six NASAMS systems, Puma drones, laser guided missile systems and tens of thousands of shells to Ukraine as part of a $2.98 billion military aid package
