Bald wanted no specific information to make how many more Himars systems the US could deliver. “We certainly still have room to grow,” he said. Kahl described the fighting in eastern Ukraine as a “concentrated artillery duel” between Ukrainian and Russian troops. “We think that these systems will be very useful.” The guided missiles with a relatively long range of around 80 kilometers could ensure “to take some pressure off Ukrainian troops at the front”. Kahl emphasized that there was no interest in the conflict in Ukraine escalating into “World War III”. “But at the same time, Russia has no veto on what we send to the Ukrainians. The Ukrainians didn’t start this war, it was the Russians.” The Pentagon official said that since the war began in late February, the U.S. has given Ukraine approximately $4.7 billion worth of weapons and ammunition (roughly $4.4 billion). euros) promised or already delivered.
The Himars systems are part of the latest security package for Ukraine worth around $700 million, according to the White House. Kahl said it also included five anti-artillery and two air surveillance radar systems, 1,000 Javelin anti-tank missiles with 50 launchers, four Mi-17 helicopters, 18 tactical vehicles, 15,000 155mm artillery shells and spare parts.