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capacity is insufficient to cover the needs of Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
Europe is investing in the defence industry to increase production. The European Commission has announced an increase in its assistance to the European defence industry with the approval of a program provided for by the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) for 2023-2025. "ASAP will allocate €500M to support investment projects worth up to €1.4B, thereby stimulating the increase in the production of ammunition and missiles in the EU," the message reads. "In the new geopolitical realities, Europe must increase its defence readiness. With the help of ASAP, we are supporting the European defence industry to produce more, and faster, of the ammunition we need for Ukraine and the security of the member states," said the EC member Thierry Breton. For the first time, the European Commission is organizing a call for proposals for the selection and financing of projects that "improve European defence production capacities and support the sustainability of the relevant supply chains."
The EU will agree on a €20B military aid package for Ukraine no earlier than December. The EU does not expect to reach an agreement on the allocation of €20B to Ukraine through the European Peace Fund before reviewing the multi-year EU budget at the summit in December. At the next December summit, the leaders of the 27 EU countries will discuss the budget revision proposed by the European Commission, including creating a new fund for strategic technologies (STEP) and replenishing the European Peace Fund. The EU member considers this fund a decisive factor in providing arms to Ukraine, as it will reimburse them for the supply cost. And its increase is part of the security obligations the European Union offered Ukraine. According to the EU diplomat, the entire support package for Ukraine will be considered at the summit, including €50B in macro-financial assistance. Through the European Peace Fund, the EU already provides aid to Ukraine in tranches, though these can be blocked by individual member states, in particular Hungary.
The 16th Rammstein brought more Western support and military aid. US defence Secretary Lloyd Austin announced a new $200M package of military aid for Ukraine. It includes ammunition for air defence systems, artillery, missiles, aviation ammunition, anti-tank weapons, and equipment to counter Russian drones. The British Ministry of defence announced a new $122M aid package and will transfer Terrahawk Paladin stationary anti-aircraft systems for use against Russian drones. Belgian defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder said that in 2025, the country will send several F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. For now, Belgium will continue training pilots and wants to take over the maintenance of the entire F-16 coalition fleet. Denmark will provide Ukraine with the first F-16s in early 2024. Finland will deliver its 19th package of military aid, worth €95M. Canada allocated a new package of winter defence aid worth $19M for Ukraine, and a group of allies will provide €147.5M for the maintenance of military equipment, demining equipment, etc. Austin also announced work with allies on coalitions of capabilities like those created for the Leopard and F-16.
No supply of Taurus missiles to Ukraine for now. "At the moment, there will be no deliveries of Taurus missiles to Ukraine," the ambassador said. "The government and the chancellor (Olaf Scholz) have made this very clear. We have informed the Ukrainian government about this decision in detail," he said, adding that this is all he can say about it publicly.
US military says all 31 Abrams tanks arrived in Ukraine. The U.S. has
23 UKRAINE Country Report November 2023 www.intellinews.com