Page 38 - UKRRptJul24

The United States may have to increase its deployment of strategic nuclear weapons amid growing threats from China, Russia, and other adversaries, a White House official said on June 7. Pranay Vaddi, the White House's senior director for arms control, was speaking at a meeting of the Arms Control Association when he warned that "absent a change" in the nuclear strategy of Russia and China, the US may be forced to expand its nuclear arsenal. "Absent a change in adversary arsenals, we may reach a point in the coming years where an increase from current deployed numbers is required," Vaddi said. "We need to be fully prepared to execute if the president makes that decision. If that day comes, it will result in a determination that more nuclear weapons are required to deter our adversaries and protect the American people and our allies and partners." Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly made nuclear threats against Ukraine and the West since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The threats have failed to materialize; however, Russia publicly stages exercises simulating the use of tactical weapons.
● Weapons
Ukraine receives a large batch of weapons with IRIS-Ts, tanks, and HIMARS from Germany and artillery shells from the Czech initiative. Ukraine received another large delivery of weapons from Germany, including air defence systems, tanks, and armored vehicles. The package includes 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 10 Leopard 1 A5 tanks, which Germany provides jointly with Denmark, and ammunition for them, one more each of the IRIS-T SLM and IRIS-T SLS systems (a total of six such systems have already been provided), three HIMARS rocket launchers, more than 21,000 155 mm artillery shells, four anti-drone systems, two bridge-laying tanks, two DACHS armored personnel carriers, 18 Bergepanzer 2 with spare parts, four WISENT 1 mine clearance tanks, and three AMPS helicopter protection systems. In his turn, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said that the ammunition purchased through the Czech initiative has already arrived in Ukraine and will deliveries will continue. Also, the Pentagon extended the contract with SpaceX that provides Starlink Internet services in Ukraine until November 30
Ukraine has increased its weapon production and wants its partners to buy them from domestic manufacturers. According to the State Statistics Service, in January-March the production of weapons in Ukraine increased by an average of 25.4% compared to the same period last year. In January, Ukraine produced 26.6% more weapons and ammunition compared to January last year. In February, the growth was 29%, and in March, the pace of production decreased, as 18.8% more weapons were produced than in 2023. As well, January's production fell by 4% compared to December 2023. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Ambassador to Lithuania Petro Beshta said that Ukraine offers its partners who plan long-term support, particularly Lithuania, the opportunity to purchase Ukrainian-produced drones. He said this would be effective both from the point of view of logistics and in terms of price and quality. Beshta also added: "In this case, drones will be purchased that meet customers' needs as much as possible. After all, our manufacturers match them to military requirements."
Ukraine took fourth place in the world’s ranking of arms importers; Europeans are also arming themselves against the background of war. During the period from 2019-2023, Ukraine became the largest arms importer
38 UKRAINE Country Report July 2024 www.intellinews.com