The new deal for Ukraine's equipment is expected to exceed $10 billion. US President Donald Trump, who clearly feels betrayed by his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, in addition to the 50-day deadline for ending the war, in a stunning 180-degree turn announced that he would provide the weapons requested by Kiev.
In an unprecedented transaction, European NATO countries will purchase modern American systems and provide them to Ukraine for its defense and beyond. Although it was not announced which weapons systems will be provided and by whom, it is considered certain that Volodymyr Zelensky will see his request for the supply of Patriot missiles fulfilled and beyond.
The leak of Trump's question to Zelensky whether Ukrainian forces "could hit Moscow," with the Ukrainian president responding "both Moscow and St. Petersburg, if you give us the right weapons systems," indicates that Kiev will also receive offensive weapons such as surface-to-surface and air-to-surface missiles that can be launched from F-16s that have been made available to the Ukrainians.
So what other weapons will be given to the Ukrainians? Everything has its own importance and according to what is coming out of Washington, the Patriot system, Tomahawk missiles, ATACMS and JASSMs are being considered or have been decided to be given to Kiev.
The Patriot system
The missile defense system is a long-standing desire of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Zelensky is pushing for the Patriots, as they have proven on the battlefield to be the only system that can successfully counter the more modern, hypersonic Russian ballistic missiles that the Kremlin has put into the “game.” Trump confirmed that a full system of 17 Patriots is ready to be transferred to Ukraine from a Western country. Although he did not name them, Trump said that the Patriots will be sent from a country that “will not need them.” According to many, this is an indirect reference to Switzerland, which in 2020 had agreed with the American Raytheon (the manufacturer of the system) to purchase 17 Patriots along with their launchers and other systems. A full Patriot system has missile launchers, radar, a command and control center, as well as the missiles themselves.
There are about 180 Patriot systems worldwide, with each system costing about $1 billion and each missile costing about $3.7 million. Ukraine has eight Patriot systems, two of which are out of service for maintenance. All have been deployed around Kiev to protect the capital, leaving other major Ukrainian cities virtually unfortified and facilitating a Russian advance into eastern Ukraine. Military analysts estimate that such a large number of Patriot systems will not only strengthen Ukraine's air defenses, but could also "play a decisive role" in the outcome of the battle.
Tomahawk
The Tomahawk missile system, named after the legendary Indian war axe, is considered one of the "favorites" to be given to Ukraine. Zelensky has requested it more than once, with the US administration having so far refused. It seems that this long-range missile system will be given to Ukraine, with the first result, as diplomats estimate, "exonerating" Trump. "This weapon is capable of angering Putin," diplomatic sources report, explaining that the attack missile system is one of the few weapons systems that can truly threaten the Russian capital. Although the question is, since the Tomahawks are launched from American warships and submarines or bombers (which Ukraine does not have), where will the Ukrainians launch them and who and when will train them in the use of such a specialized (and completely unknown to their forces) system.
Tomahawks are subsonic missiles that can strike at distances of 1,600 to 2,500 kilometers. Currently, the Ukrainian arsenal does not have any other missiles with a range exceeding 400 kilometers. However, it does have long-range drones that can fly at distances of 1,200-1,800 kilometers, but they have limitations, such as flying slowly, being electronically intercepted, and causing relatively little damage with their 50-kilogram warheads. The Tomahawk, on the other hand, flies at almost 900 km/h and has a large warhead (450 kg), allowing it to cause more serious damage. These missiles fly low (and therefore are difficult to detect by radar) at subsonic speeds and are designed to carry both conventional and nuclear warheads. They were used by the Americans successfully in multiple attacks, playing a key role in wars such as the Gulf War. With these missiles in its arsenal, Ukraine could launch combined strikes (with drones to saturate air defenses and missiles) deep into Russian territory. Ukraine desperately wants them to hit not Moscow, but a number of (important) Russian air bases that are within range of the Tomahawk missiles.
ATACMS missiles
They are known as ATACMS and are pronounced "atacams." It is an acronym for the words Army Tactical Missile System. However, for Ukrainians, it is not how they are pronounced that matters, but how they are used. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have such American-made attack missiles, but what they do not have is permission to strike deep into Russia, as they could, except in Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia.
The missile system that Trump is considering sending (additional missiles), along with authorization to use it at its full range (over 300 kilometers), has a 500-kilogram warhead. The damage it can cause is very significant, while it has two important advantages: it is easily and quickly transported and launched due to its relatively small size, and the Ukrainian Armed Forces have experience in using it. Although these are surface-to-surface missiles, their cost is relatively small for the damage they can cause, amounting to approximately $1 million per missile.
JASSMs
JASSMs (known as “Jazz”) are among the weapons systems that the Trump administration is considering offering to Ukraine. They are considered “preferred” because they are missiles that Ukraine has repeatedly requested but never received from the United States.
As their name (Joint Air-to-Surface Missiles) suggests, “Jazz” are air-to-surface missiles that have many advantages for Ukraine on the ground. Not only do they have a longer range (almost double) than ATACMS and can cause almost the same damage. But they can also be launched from F-16 fighter jets that European allies have provided to the Ukrainians. Their cost exceeds $1.5 million per missile. With these missile systems at its disposal, Ukraine will be able to plan and likely conduct operations deeper into Russian territory, using American-made multi-role fighter jets as bombers to strike key bases and other targets inside Russian territory.
Above all, however, the Ukrainians’ main goal is to deny the Russians (even if relative) air supremacy, who have increased their attacks with unprecedented numbers of drones and missiles, while the Ukrainian resistance shows signs of fatigue. U.S. military officials have played their part in this reduction in the weapons available to Ukraine, long expressing concerns that the war in Ukraine could theoretically “dry up” the United States’ weapons stockpile, endangering U.S. troops and interests abroad. The Pentagon’s current view is to sell weapons that will change the game in the war in Ukraine, anger Vladimir Putin or persuade him to reconsider a peace deal and end the war, as Donald Trump wants, but at the same time will not empty the American arsenal of “what is necessary for the defense of the country.” (A2 Televizion)
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