The US promise of 31 Abrams tanks for Ukraine adds to nearly $30 billion in military and security assistance since Russia’s invasion on February 24, 2022.
Other military support provided by the US includes several devastating missile systems, thousands of vehicles, and more than 100 million pieces of ammunition.
Here, DailyMail.com provides a breakdown of some of the most expensive – and lethal – weapons and equipment the US has sent to Ukraine.
M1 Abrams tanks
The M1 Abrams’ main weapon is its M256 120mm smooth bore cannon, which has a firing range of about 4,000 meters with conventional ammunition. It can hold a four-strong crew, weighs 73.6 tonnes and has a range of 264 miles with a 1,500 HP gas turbine engine.
Cost: $400 million total
Quantity: 31 tanks
Game changer: The $400 million package for the M1 Abrams tank (pictured above) announced on Wednesday also includes eight M88 recovery vehicles — tank-like tracked vehicles that can tow the Abrams if it gets stuck
HIMARS rocket systems and ammunition
The US has offered 16 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems to Ukraine. The truck-mounted launchers, developed by Lockheed Martin, can fire six guided missiles up to 50 miles – or further depending on the ammunition used.
Cost: $4m per unit, $110,000 per missile
Quantity: 16
The truck-mounted HIMARS launchers fire GPS-guided missiles capable of hitting targets up to 50 miles away, a distance that puts them out of reach of most Russian artillery systems
HIMARS rocket systems
The High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) is recognized as one of the world’s most advanced rocket artillery systems. It can fire six guided missiles in quick succession. Ukraine has already used the system against Russian forces to devastating effect, targeting both soldiers and infrastructure. A strike on New Year’s Day killed at least 63 Russian troops.
Cost: Around $5m per unit
Quantity: 38, plus ammunition
Patriot missiles
Patriot stands for Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target. The expensive surface-to-air missile system is one of the most advanced of its kind. The US pledged a Patriot battery to Ukraine in December. A senior official in the Department of Defense said ‘it will give Ukraine a critical long-range capability to defend its airspace’.
Cost: $10m per launcher, $4m per missile
Quantity: One battery, plus munitions
The Patriot is a surface-to-air guided missile system that was first deployed in the 1980s and can target aircraft, cruise missiles and shorter-range ballistic missiles
Howitzers (105mm and 155mm)
The M777 is the main 155mm howitzer provided to Ukraine by the US. The weapon weighs around 9,300lb, has a 16.7ft barrel, and has a 13-mile firing range with a conventional artillery round.
Cost: $570,000 per unit
Quantity: 232 units, plus around 1.4m rounds
The British-built M777 are an ultra light howitzer first used in the 2001 Afghanistan conflict
Mi-17 helicopters
A fleet of Mi-17 helicopters – a Soviet-designed military aircraft developed in Russia – given for Ukraine were initially purchased by the USA for the Afghan army in the early 2010s. The Washington Post reported the aircraft were undergoing US-contracted maintenance outside of Afghanistan when the Taliban took control of the country. They are primary personnel aircraft but can be fitted with weapons.
Cost: $17 million per unit
Quantity: 20
A fleet of Mi-17 helicopters – a Soviet-designed military aircraft developed in Russia – given for Ukraine were initially purchased by the USA for the Afghan army in the early 2010s
The National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System is a highly adaptable medium-range air defense solution that can target a range of airborne threats, including aircraft, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles
National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS)
The NASAMS air defense system can target a range of airborne threats, including aircraft, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. Six of the eight systems pledged to Ukraine will be delivered as part of a $1.2bn contract awarded by the US Army earlier this month.
Cost: About $2bn in total
Quantity: Eight by 2025
The Harpoon is anti-ship missile and can travel at speeds of up to 587mph at a range of 100 miles
Harpoon coastal defense systems
The US has promised two vehicle-mounted Harpoon launcher systems to Ukraine. The systems fire anti-ship missiles. Officials say the US will procure the launchers, while its allies will provide the missiles, which can cost up to $1.5 million each.
Cost: Unknown
Quantity: Two system (missiles supplied by allies)
Phoenix Ghost/Switchblade Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems
The Phoenix Ghost and Switchblade models of unmanned aerial system are just two of the various drone technologies that the US has provided to Ukraine. The Phoenix Ghost and Switchblades are designed to attack a variety of targets. Other drones provided by the US can conduct reconnaissance and surveillance.
Cost: About $17 million
Quantity: Around 2,500
The Phoenix Ghost and Switchblade models of unmanned aerial system are just two of the various drone technologies that the US has provided to Ukraine
Javelin missiles
Several countries have supplied javelin missiles to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion. The missile is usually fired from a shoulder mounted launcher and automatically guides itself to its target. Several videos have been posted online of Ukrainian troops using the missiles against Russian forces.
Cost: Up to $250,000 per missile
Quantity: 8,500 missiles
Various radar systems
The various radar systems supplied by the US to Ukraine range from air surveillance systems to counter-artillery radars.
Quantity: At least 86
Cost: Unknown
The Javelin missile is an advance anti-tank surface-to-air missile which is shoulder launched
Various radar systems – like the AN/TPQ-53 – has proven experience detecting mortars, rockets and artillery. Radar systems were supplied by the US to Ukraine
Armor and helmets
The US has provided tens of thousands of pieces of key equipment to support Ukrainian troops on the ground.
Quantity: 75,000 units
Cost: $350 – $800 per unit
Various ground vehicles
A wide range of ground vehicles have been delivered by the US. They include 100 armored medical treatment vehicles, 580 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs), over 100 light tactical vehicles and more than 1,700 Humvees.
Quantity: 3,199
Cost: NA
A wide range of ground vehicles have been delivered by the US
US support has also included the delivery of more than 100 million pieces of ammunition for small arms, on top of millions more rounds for heavy weapons
Small arms ammunition
US support has also included the delivery of more than 100 million pieces of ammunition for small arms, on top of millions more rounds for heavy weapons.
Quantity: 111 million rounds
Cost: Unknown
Other support
A comprehensive list of the weapons and equipment committed to the US by Ukraine was shared by the Department of State on January 18, and reveals the sheer extent of what’s been pledged to help defeat Russia.
Other aid includes protective equipment, medical supplies, hundreds of generators, plus the promise of funding for training.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk