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which trains Ukrainian pilots on the F-16. Training will begin in February 2024 and continue until 2025. Canada will also join the armor and air force coalitions. At the same time, Spain announced its participation in maritime security coalitions and pledged support with artillery, ground air defence, and Ukraine’s demining. The Pentagon expects Ukraine to receive the first F-16s, their support infrastructure, and spare parts in 2024. At the same time, they noted that the lack of funding affects not only the US’ ability to send weapons to Ukraine but also to help repair those that have already been provided.
Surpassing Russia in drone operations 'one of the main tasks’ in 2024. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly address on Jan. 29 that one of the main tasks in the ongoing year is to keep ahead of Russia in the quality of drone operations, the production of which Ukraine aims to increase significantly.
Ukraine cannot outproduce Russia, needs to focus on advanced technology. With over $100bn in U.S. and EU aid stalled over political disputes, Kyiv has been focusing on revitalizing the domestic industry, aiming to build up a homemade arsenal of drones and missiles.
Rheinmetall will build a new defence plant in Germany, and a German company will donate 100 drones. The Rheinmetall concern will build a new factory in Germany to increase its ammunition production. The new production capacity is planned to be constructed in what would be a record short time, said the general director of Rheinmetall, Armin Papperger. He commented on the pace of munitions production: "What would have taken 10 years in the past is now done in a few months. In the field of military procurement, many things have changed for the better. Last year, the Rheinmetall company alone received orders from the German government for more than €10B, both for the Bundeswehr and for Ukraine," said Papperger. He hopes the number of orders will grow to at least €15B this year. Meanwhile, UAV manufacturer Quantum-Systems has begun supplying Ukraine with 100 Trinity drones of various models. Ukraine will not be charged for these Trimity Pro drones, which help assess military destruction. The Trinity Tactical model provides reconnaissance for special forces that operate in enemy territory or in isolated areas, transmitting images in real-time.
Ukrainian Navy Commander signals Kyiv would win faster if there's permission to fire Western weapons deep inside Russia. Ukrainian Navy Commander Oleksii Neizhpapa told Sky News that the state of the war would have been very different if allies had not given restrictions to Kyiv on the use of Western weapons.
NATO signs contracts for $1.2bn worth of artillery shells. The NATO Support and Procurement Agency concluded the deal on behalf of allies who will either pass shells to Ukraine or use them to refill their own arsenals.
EU Commissioner: Europe to produce around 1.3 to 1.4 million shells by the end of 2024. “We need to make sure that most of this is coming to Ukraine, in priority, because this is where there is an urgent need,” said EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton during a visit to Estonia.
Hungary will drop its objections to the creation of a €5B Ukraine military assistance fund, paving the way for an agreement to revamp a vehicle that aims to steady the supply of weapons to Kyiv once member states sort out
28 UKRAINE Country Report February 2024 www.intellinews.com