Latest news with #GMLRS
Canada News.Net
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Canada News.Net
Pentagon's pause on weapons for Ukraine lifted, officials confirm
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Trump administration has started sending some weapons to Ukraine again, just a week after the Pentagon told officials to pause some shipments, U.S. officials said on July 9. The weapons being sent include 155 mm artillery shells and precision-guided rockets called GMLRS, according to two officials who spoke anonymously because the information hadn't been made public. It's not clear exactly when the shipments began moving again. Last week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a pause on some weapon deliveries so the Pentagon could check how much it had left in stock. The White House was surprised by this decision. However, a White House official said that there was no "pause" but rather a review to ensure that the aid complies with U.S. military plans. The Pentagon never officially announced a pause. Still, during a press briefing last week, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said he couldn't share details about which weapons were paused or when they would be delivered. He said the president and the defense secretary would make those decisions. The pause affected several weapons, including Patriot missiles, GMLRS rockets, Hellfire missiles, and Howitzer ammunition. This surprised not only Ukraine and U.S. allies but also some U.S. lawmakers and even other departments in the Trump administration, like the State Department. It's still unclear if Patriot missile shipments are on hold. These missiles are very expensive—about US$4 million each—and are in high demand. One was used recently to protect a U.S. base in Qatar from an Iranian missile attack. President Trump said this week that the U.S. would keep sending defensive weapons to Ukraine. But when reporters asked who ordered the pause, he gave mixed answers. On July 9, he said, "I will know if a decision is made. I'd probably be the one to give the order, but I haven't yet." The day before, he said, "I don't know. Why don't you tell me?" According to people familiar with the situation, Trump was upset with the Pentagon for announcing the pause without checking with the White House first. The Pentagon denied that Hegseth acted alone, saying the plan was discussed across the government and meant to help the president decide on military aid. Meanwhile, Russia has stepped up its air attacks on Ukraine, including the biggest drone strike in one night since the war began three years ago, Ukrainian officials said. Trump also criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying, "He's not treating people right… too many are dying." That, Trump said, was why he approved sending more defensive weapons to Ukraine. The 155 mm artillery shells are some of the most used in the war. They're about 2 feet long, weigh 100 pounds, and are fired from large guns called Howitzers. These can hit targets up to 15 to 20 miles away. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. has sent over three million 155 mm shells and more than $67 billion in weapons and military aid.
Russia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
US resumes arms shipments to Ukraine
The US has resumed deliveries of some weapons to Ukraine, after a brief pause initiated by the Pentagon, the AP reported on Thursday, citing American officials. Shipments were temporarily halted last week due to concerns over dwindling US stockpiles. Two officials, speaking anonymously to AP, said the resumed supplies include 155mm artillery shells and precision-guided GMLRS rockets. Reuters also confirmed shipments had restarted, although it remains unclear when they began or how much is being delivered. Last week, the Pentagon paused some weapons deliveries to Ukraine – including precision munitions and air defense interceptors – citing concerns over depleted US reserves. However, an anonymous White House official told the AP there was no 'pause' in shipments – only a review to ensure military aid aligns with US defense strategy. The official added that the Pentagon never formally announced a suspension. Russia maintains that foreign arms shipments to Ukraine fuel further bloodshed without changing the outcome of the conflict. US President Trump said on Wednesday that Washington would continue supplying defensive weapons to Ukraine but avoided clarifying who had ordered the pause. 'I would know if a decision is made… most likely I'd give the order,' he told reporters. According to the AP, Trump has privately expressed frustration over a lack of coordination between the Pentagon and the White House. Trump also commented on the cost of Patriot systems – valued at around $1 billion per battery – saying that Kiev's request for another unit remains under review. 'It's a shame that we have to spend so much money' on supporting Ukraine, he said, calling the missile system 'very rare… and very expensive.' Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky has repeatedly urged Washington to send more Patriot systems. Trump, however, earlier suggested the US 'simply cannot produce [Patriot] missiles in the necessary quantities.' Around the same time, Trump said that his predecessor, Joe Biden, 'emptied out our whole country' by sending weapons to Ukraine. He has repeatedly accused Biden of writing a blank check for Kiev. According to Germany's Kiel Institute, the US has provided nearly $115 billion in military and financial aid since 2022. Unlike the Biden administration, Trump has pushed for a ceasefire and resumed direct talks with Moscow to explore solutions for resolving the conflict. Russia has consistently condemned Western arms shipments, saying they raise the risk of wider escalation. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed that such actions do not promote peace and merely prolong the hostilities.
AsiaOne
2 days ago
- Business
- AsiaOne
Trump to use presidential authority to send weapons to Ukraine, Reuters sources say, World News
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump for the first time since returning to office will send weapons to Kyiv under a presidential power frequently used by his predecessor, two sources familiar with the decision said on Thursday (July 10), a move suggesting new interest by the president in defending Ukraine. More than three years after Russia's invasion of its neighbour, Trump's team will identify arms from US stockpiles to send to Ukraine under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, the sources said, with one saying they could be worth around US$300 million (S$384 million). Trump on Tuesday said the US would send more weapons to Ukraine to help the country defend itself against intensifying Russian advances. The package could include defencive Patriot missiles and offencive medium-range rockets, but a decision on the exact equipment has not been made, the sources said. One of the people said this would happen at a meeting on Thursday. So far, the Trump administration has only sent weapons authorised by former President Joe Biden, who was a staunch supporter of Kyiv. Presidential Drawdown Authority allows the president to draw from weapons stocks to help allies in an emergency. The Pentagon and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Republican president's stance on defending Ukraine has been inconsistent. At times he has criticised US spending and spoken favourably of Russia but also sometimes has voiced support for Kyiv and disparaged the Kremlin. The US has US$3.86 billion worth of Presidential Drawdown Authority for Ukraine remaining. The last drawdown was a US$500 million award by Biden on Jan 9. Ukraine's top priorities are Patriot missile interceptors and GMLRS mobile rocket artillery which may be included in the package. The weapons could be on the front lines within days because stocks are positioned in Europe. The Trump administration this month halted shipments of some critical weapons that were approved by Biden but some of those shipments have resumed. Congress has approved nearly US$175 billion of aid and military assistance for Ukraine and allied nations in the nearly 3-1/2 years since Russia's full-scale invasion. [[nid:720063]]
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Donald Trump to use presidential authority to send weapons worth $300 million to Ukraine: Report
After returning to the office, US President Donald Trump, for the first time, will use presidential power to send weapons to Ukraine, signalling renewed interest in supporting the country's defence, Reuters reported, citing sources. Donald Trump plans to send $300 million worth of weapons to Ukraine from US stockpiles.(AFP File) Trump plans to send weapons worth around $300 million to Ukraine by drawing from US stockpiles under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, the report said. The US President on Tuesday said America would send more weapons to Ukraine to help the country defend itself against intensifying Russian advances. The upcoming package could include defensive Patriot missiles and offensive medium-range rockets, though a final decision on the equipment is still pending, sources told the news agency. One source, however, said the decision is expected to be made during a meeting on Thursday. Until now, the Trump administration has only continued shipments of weapons authorised by former President Joe Biden, a staunch supporter of Kyiv. The Presidential Drawdown Authority allows the president to supply allies with weapons from existing US stockpiles during emergencies. Neither the Pentagon nor the White House responded immediately to requests for comment, the report added. Trump's position on Ukraine has fluctuated over time. While he has criticised US military spending and expressed favourable views of Russia, he has also occasionally voiced support for Kyiv and criticised the Kremlin. US has $3.86 billion left in Ukraine aid Currently, the United States has $3.86 billion in remaining funds under the Presidential Drawdown Authority for Ukraine. The last drawdown, valued at $500 million, was approved by Biden on January 9. Among Ukraine's top priorities are Patriot missile interceptors and GMLRS mobile rocket artillery. These weapons may be part of the upcoming aid package and could reach the front lines within days, as many are pre-positioned in Europe. Earlier this month, the Trump administration paused the delivery of certain critical weapons approved by Biden. However, some of those shipments have since resumed. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion nearly three and a half years ago, Congress has approved close to $175 billion in aid and military assistance for Ukraine and allied nations.
Novaya Gazeta Europe
3 days ago
- Politics
- Novaya Gazeta Europe
US resumes partial supply of weapons to Ukraine
The US has partially resumed arms and munition shipments to Ukraine, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing sources. Reuters said the supplies included 155 mm artillery shells and GMLRS (mobile rocket artillery) missiles. However, the exact quantity of weapons to be supplied remains unknown, and sources were unable to specify whether the supply of other types of weapons would also resume. Washington suspended its supply of weapons to the Armed Forces of Ukraine last week, after the White House explained it needed to assess its own reserves. The Pentagon said that the halt in deliveries was a 'temporary action', intended to enable a review of all weapons deliveries in Ukraine in order to maintain US defensive preparedness. Within days, however, US President Donald Trump said that the US would resume sending mainly defensive weapons to Ukraine, in apparent exasperation at the unwillingness of Vladimir Putin to bring an end to the war and in the light of ever more intense Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian towns and cities. Axios wrote on Tuesday that Trump had also promised to send 10 Patriot anti-aircraft missiles, while The Wall Street Journal said that the US was also considering transferring complete Patriot systems to Ukraine. The Patriot air defence systems are seen as central to Kyiv's defence capabilities. Last week, military researcher Kirill Mikhailov told Novaya Gazeta Europe that suspending the supply of Patriot missiles was 'effectively an invitation to the Russian army to strike unprotected Ukrainian cities with ballistic missiles'.
