Ukraine War Update NEWS: Military Aid News
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Table of Contents 📖
"We need to be doing R&D on...And we are doing that, and that's why we're heading the drone coalition. It's not that we're doing that for Ukraine. We are doing that to put ourselves in the best position going forward to provide our own armed forces with the best drone capabilities that are reactions to what is going on on the battlefields in Ukraine."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:17⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to the second part of his Ukraine War Update for 15th July 2024 focusing on Military Aid and equipment.
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USA: Fears of War Escalating Beyond Ukraine
🎦 00:17-04:08⏩
- The US expresses apprehension over the potential for the war to extend past Ukraine's borders, particularly regarding the authorisation of ATACMS strikes within Russian territory.
- Pat Ryder emphasises the US's aim to avoid unintended consequences and escalation leading to a wider conflict.
- The US remains concerned about escalation and has not permitted Ukraine to target Russian air bases with long-range missiles.
- Jonathan highlights a press conference where a reporter questions the decision against allowing Ukraine to strike launch sites. The US spokesperson reiterates that they have provided Ukraine with capabilities to defend itself against Russian aggression but deem further expansion of those capabilities inappropriate at this time.
- The reporter challenges the decision not to allow strikes on airbases deeper inside Russia, which facilitate attacks on Ukrainian civilians.
- The US spokesperson reiterates their support for Ukraine's defense through providing weapons, air defense systems, and the ability to strike across the border, emphasising that these actions demonstrate their commitment.
USA: Ukraine Aid Packages Benefit US Military
🎦 04:08-05:47⏩
- Jonathan delves into the financial aspect of US aid to Ukraine, noting that a significant portion of the funds allocated for Ukraine are ultimately reinvested in the US military.
- He provides a specific example: the US Air Force received $103 million in supplemental funding to procure Joint Strike Missiles (JSMs) as replacements for older HARM anti-radiation missiles sent to Ukraine.
- This example, Jonathan argues, counters the simplistic view that aid money is directly transferred to Ukraine. Instead, it highlights how the aid packages contribute to modernising and bolstering the US military's capabilities by replenishing and upgrading its own arsenal.
- Jonathan further elaborates on the JSM procurement, revealing that the USAF's base budget for 2025 allocated $166 million for 50 missiles, but with additional funding, they aim to acquire up to 268 by the financial year 2028.
Spain: Delivers 10 Leopard Tanks to Ukraine
🎦 05:47-06:17⏩
- Jonathan reports that Spain has dispatched 10 Leopard 2A4 tanks to Ukraine. These tanks, repaired and modernised at the Santa Barbara System factory in Seville, represent the first delivery of tanks to Ukraine in several months.
- Alongside the tanks, Spain has also sent various backhoe loaders and a substantial quantity of anti-tank missiles.
- Jonathan expresses gratitude to Spain for their contribution and anticipates another batch of Spanish tanks to arrive before the end of 2024.
Portugal: 220 Million Euros in Aid to be Repeated
🎦 06:17-06:39⏩
- Portugal has committed to providing Ukraine with an aid package worth 220 million euros, and there are plans to repeat this aid package next year.
- Jonathan points out that despite this positive news, Portugal's defense spending and contribution to Ukraine are relatively low in terms of their GDP percentage.
UK: Spartan Armoured Vehicles Sent to Ukraine
🎦 06:39-07:17⏩
- Jonathan highlights the strategic advantage of easily transporting small combat vehicles like the ex-British CVR(T) Spartan. These vehicles can be transported on standard lorries, as opposed to specialised low loaders.
- This method, he explains, significantly enhances their deployability as they can be readily transported to where they are needed most.
Ukraine: Checkmate Viktor MR2 Anti-Aircraft System Deployed
🎦 07:17-08:25⏩
- The Ukrainian Armed Forces have integrated the Checkmate Viktor MR2 mobile anti-aircraft system, which utilises twin 14.5mm KPV machine guns mounted on a Toyota Land Cruiser 70 chassis, into their mobile fire groups.
- Jonathan recalls witnessing a convoy of these vehicles in Ukraine approximately six months ago. He speculates that Ukrainian forces have been undergoing training to operate these systems, enabling their deployment against aerial threats such as drones and cruise missiles.
- The addition of these systems not only enhances Ukraine's defensive capabilities but also expands their air defense network's coverage across the country.
Germany: Donostal to Donate Mouse Loitering Munitions to Ukraine
🎦 08:27-09:32⏩
- Jonathan, referencing a comment from "Germanator Ukraine", discusses an article mentioning that Donostal, a Bavarian defense start-up, will be supplying Mouse loitering munition platforms to Ukraine's HUR MO Kraken special forces unit.
- He notes a comment suggesting that utilising wood in the construction of these drones makes them 75% more cost-effective compared to carbon fiber.
- Jonathan acknowledges the practicality of using wood for drones, as it does not register on radar and offers cost savings compared to plastic molds.
- He emphasizes that in drone warfare, cost-effectiveness, lightweight design, and operational efficacy are paramount, making wood a suitable material.
Ukraine: Makeshift Underground Arms Factory Adapts Munitions
🎦 09:32-10:16⏩
- Images shared by Chris Miller from the Financial Times show Ukrainian forces converting anti-tank mines and other munitions into drone-deployable explosives in a makeshift underground arms factory near the Donbas front line.
- Jonathan points out that the Black Hornet drones used by Ukrainian forces have a payload capacity of nearly 10 kilograms, enabling them to carry a significant amount of explosives.
- He expresses astonishment at the ingenuity and adaptability of the Ukrainians, converting various munitions into drone-delivered weapons in these underground facilities.
Ukraine: Mobilization Progressing But Training Facilities Limited
🎦 10:16-11:11⏩
- While mobilization in Ukraine appears to be on track, President Zelensky has acknowledged that there is a shortage of adequate training facilities, highlighting this as a constraint.
- During a press conference, Zelensky confirmed ongoing efforts to expand these facilities. Despite the challenges, Ukraine is actively mobilising its citizens for defense, but the lack of sufficient training capacity poses a significant obstacle.
- Zelensky also revealed that the allies remain hesitant about granting Ukraine permission to conduct long-range strikes inside Russia. Consequently, Ukraine is focusing on developing its indigenous long-range strike capabilities, including drones.
Ukraine: Developing Indigenous Long-Range Weapons Due to US Stance
🎦 11:11-11:47⏩
- Jonathan believes that Ukraine has likely been developing its long-range strike capabilities for a considerable time, given the current situation. He speculates that the US might be comfortable denying Ukraine's requests to target Russian airbases because Ukraine is close to deploying its own domestically produced long-range weapons.
- He suggests that this scenario would allow the US to avoid actions perceived as escalatory while ensuring Ukraine possesses the means to defend itself.
- However, he acknowledges that this is purely his speculation, and the development of such indigenous weaponry could still be a year or two away, which would be a concerning delay.
UK: Launching a Comprehensive Defence Review
🎦 11:47-15:58⏩
- The UK's Labour government has announced a comprehensive defense review, led by Defence Secretary John Healey and overseen by Lord Robertson (former Defence Secretary and NATO Secretary General). The review will include external experts like Richard Barrons and Fiona Hill and aims to gather insights from all political parties.
- The review, expected to conclude in mid-2025, aims to reassess the UK's defense strategy and adapt to the evolving landscape of warfare.
- Jonathan commends the UK government for selecting highly qualified individuals for the review. He believes that the ongoing war in Ukraine underscores the need for nations to re-evaluate their defense strategies and adapt to the changing nature of warfare. The conflict has highlighted that conventional military assumptions may no longer hold true, prompting a reassessment of priorities.
- Citing Richard Barrons's expertise, Jonathan expresses optimism that the UK government is taking the review seriously and highlights the importance of learning from the evolving nature of warfare in Ukraine. He notes that past approaches, such as the UK's focus on large Reaper-style drones, might need reevaluation. Instead, he suggests a greater emphasis on research, development, and procurement of diverse and versatile drones to suit various mission requirements. Jonathan concludes that the UK's leading role in the drone coalition is not solely for Ukraine's benefit but also to position its armed forces with advanced drone capabilities based on lessons learned from the conflict.
USA: Concerns over Russia Sharing Weapons Data with China
🎦 15:58-16:25⏩
- The US has raised concerns over Russia potentially sharing data related to captured US weapons systems with China, according to a Reuters report.
- US lawmakers have expressed alarm over China's support for Russia's military efforts, which includes supplying dual-use equipment and microelectronics.
USA: Investigating Potential US Weapons Data Transfer from Russia to China
🎦 16:25-16:47⏩
- In response to concerns of Russia potentially transferring US weapon system data to China, the US House Select Committee on China has formally requested National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to investigate the matter.
- The committee aims to ascertain the extent of such data sharing, particularly concerning compromised US weapons systems.
- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has confirmed China's provision of dual-use technology and microelectronics to Russia, prompting concerns about the potential reciprocal benefits China receives in return.
Wrap up
🎦 16:47-16:58⏩
Jonathan concludes the video by thanking his viewers for their continued support, urging them to like, subscribe, and share the video.
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