The United States is prioritizing efforts to help the Ukrainian military adjust their fighting tactics to rely less on artillery barrages and focus more on maneuvering on the battlefield due to concerns over ammunition stockpiles. The war in Ukraine has been characterized by the use of artillery by both sides, with the massive use of shells straining the ability of the US and European countries to keep up. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin addressed the issue, saying Ukraine has used a lot of artillery ammunition and the US will work with its international partners to ensure they provide as much ammunition as possible.
As the US and Europe work to increase their shell production to keep their own warehouses stocked and supply Ukraine for its warm weather offensives, the focus has also turned to changing the way Ukraine moves on the battlefield through training. Efforts have been made in England and Germany to find ways to fend off Russia without expending too much ammunition. This includes additional training on maneuver to decrease reliance on artillery munitions.
The United Kingdom has already trained 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers in infantry tactics and is set to train another 20,000 this year with help from Norway, the Netherlands, and other NATO trainers on the ground. In Tuesday’s Ukraine Defense Contract Group meeting in Brussels, France and Australia agreed to work together to produce more 155mm munitions, which are the backbone of Ukraine’s newly-acquired Western artillery arsenal.
The United States has also been working to increase its own output of 155mm shells as Ukraine continues to fire thousands of rounds daily, burning through the one million-plus 155mm munitions sent by the US and its allies. The US Army has pledged to triple its monthly output of shells from around 14,000 to up to 90,000 by 2025.
The dwindling ammunition stocks aren’t limited to cannon artillery. US officials informed the Kyiv representatives that they don’t have enough Army Tactical Missile Systems in their warehouses to spare for the Ukrainian military. Transferring the ATACMS, which would double the range of current Ukrainian rocket artillery to around 190 miles, would hurt the US military’s readiness for future fights, the Pentagon has told them.
(Inputs from Politico)
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The Chenab Times News Desk