US Provides Military Aid to Ukraine but Falls Short on Critical Equipment Deliveries

The recent involvement of the Turkish Bayraktar TB-2 drone in an attack on a Russian armored column north of Kyiv has once again brought the discussion of military aid to Ukraine to the forefront. However, concerns have been raised about the alignment of the aid provided by the United States with the battlefield requirements.

The United States has been a significant contributor, providing billions of dollars in aid and heavier weapons to Ukraine. Yet, as Andrew Milburn, a retired colonel from the Marine Corps and a cohost of the Irregular Warfare Podcast, points out, the aid seems to fall short of what Ukraine truly needs. Milburn, who is also on the adjunct faculty of the Joint Special Operations University and teaches classes on various military subjects at US military schools, has written critically acclaimed memoirs and articles on military and political topics.

One of the key pieces of equipment that Ukraine has been lacking is squadrons of strike and logistics drones. The cost-effective Bayraktar TB-2, with its under $2 million platform cost, could have potentially prevented the fall of Mariupol's garrison. In contrast, the unit cost of an MQ-9 Reaper drone, used by the US, is over $30 million.

Moreover, the proposed $37.4 billion aid package, which includes towed howitzers, Soviet-era helicopters, armored personnel carriers, and surveillance drones, is intended to replace Ukrainian losses but is unlikely to make a significant difference on the battlefield. The aid package does not seem to address the need for long-range precision fires, a gap that Russia's rocket artillery fills effectively.

The United States has been hesitant to provide Ukraine with the equipment it truly needs, such as battalions of rocket artillery with counterbattery radar and anti-air defense systems. This hesitance is due in part to concerns about escalation of violence and regional instability.

However, the stakes are high. A ceasefire or stalemate would leave Ukrainians under Russian occupation, subject to torture, rape, and execution. It would also allow Putin to regroup and rearm, potentially leading to further offensive action. On the other hand, a Ukrainian victory would bring opportunities for international reconstruction, EU membership, a buffer against further Russian aggression, and a significant watershed for the global rule of law.

Recognising the need for change, the US is planning to reinterpret military agreements to ease drone exports and improve competitiveness against China and others. However, these plans face significant barriers, including concerns about escalation of violence and regional instability.

In the face of these challenges, it is crucial for the US to reassess the equipment it plans to provide to ensure that Ukraine gains a qualitative military edge over Russia. The possibility of a Ukrainian victory is not just about the rule of law between sovereign nations; it is about upholding the global rule of law.

US Provides Military Aid to Ukraine but Falls Short on Critical Equipment Deliveries