In a move that reflects the decline in US military support for Kiev, the Trump government is redirecting an important technology against drone, which was to be sent to Ukraine, to US forces.
As a US report stated in her report Wall Street Journalthe Pentagon discreetly informed Congress last week that special rocket detonators used by Ukraine to overthrow Russian drones, will now be allocated to US aviation units in the Middle East.
It is noted that the move comes after Donald Trump’s telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin during which the Russian president said Moscow would respond vigorously to recent Ukrainian attacks.
Defense Minister Pitt Hegsheth was absent on Wednesday from a meeting at his headquarters NATO With European Ministers of Defense, which was the subject of coordinating military aid to Ukraine.
Hegschez has warned that European allies should take on the greatest burden of future military support for Kiev, while describing the Western Pacific as a “priority” for the Pentagon.
The defense minister went even further in last month’s internal memorandum. In this, he authorized the Joint Rapid Acquisition Cell, an office of the Pentagon responsible for meeting immediate operational needs, to dispose of detonators to the US Air Force, although they were initially purchased for Ukraine.
The Pentagon informed her Senate Armed Forces Committeein a message that had not been made public to date, that detonators are a “urgent issue” found by the Minister of Defense, “the WSJ reveals.
The decision to redirect this material highlights the lack of critical defensive components at a time when Ukraine is preparing for a new wave of Russian attacks with drones and missiles, while US aviation units in the Middle East are preparing for a possible collision with Iran or Iranian.
Supporters of the decision point out that the Pentagon has the legal flexibility to take this action on the basis of the extraordinary military spending bill approved last year.
However, the move has caused concern to Ukrainian supporters in Congress, who say that the Pentagon has not explained what the impact on Ukrainian defense will be, nor has it clarified whether the need for aviation is really urgent.
“This possibility is urgent and vital to Ukraine’s multilevel anti -aircraft defense against Russian attacks,” said Selest Woulander, a former senior official at the Biden Defense Ministry. “But there is also an urgent need to protect the US staff and the bases in the Middle East by Houthi’s Drones attacks and possibly Iran.”
The Biden government had arranged the mission of these detonators, along with numerous other weapons systems, through the Ukrainian security assistance initiative (Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative), which had approved the expense of billions of dollars from the US State to buy weapons and components from US defense companies.
Although the program funds have already been exhausted, deliveries are scheduled to reach Ukraine within the year and in 2026 – unless the Trump government redirects additional systems to strengthen the stocks of the US Armed Forces.
The Trump government was able to send Ukraine to $ 3.85 billion in Ukraine from the Pentagon’s stocks, but chose not to do so. At the same time, it has not requested new funding for the security initiative for Ukraine.
Detonators are intended for the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (Apkws). The US has been providing this technology to Ukraine for some years, and the Ukrainians have been using it in terrestrial anti -aircraft systems for the downing of Russian drones. The Pentagon has promoted this technology as extremely effective. A key component is the proximity fuze detonator, which triggers the explosive load when the rocket approaches the drone.
The US Air Force has adapted these rockets to launch from F-16 and F-15E fighters against drones. This system is more economical than classic air-to-air missiles, such as Sidewinder and Amraam.
According to a source from Congress, the Senate Armed Forces Committee is considering increasing the production of components for the anti-Drone system, possibly through the current bill. “The failure to explain the necessity of this decision gives the impression that it may be punitive.”
Source :Skai
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.