U.S. Army officials hitting supply chain snags on their way to restocking Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and Javelin anti-tank weapons sent to Ukraine may get a reprieve.
As the war in Ukraine drags into its third month, the United States is trying to figure out the best way – and the best pace – to train Ukrainian troops on how to use the Western arms flooding into the besieged nation.
Lockheed Martin aims to nearly double production for Javelin anti-tank missiles from 2,100 to 4,000 per year, but it needs the supply chain to “crank up,” said its chief executive, Jim Taiclet.
The U.S. defense secretary assured lawmakers Tuesday he wouldn’t let stockpiles of critical munitions fall below minimum levels, as the Pentagon sends its own weapons to Ukraine’s defense against Russia.
The U.S. may not be able to make more of the shoulder-fired Stinger anti-aircraft missiles it has been sending to Ukraine until at least 2023, the manufacturer, Raytheon Technologies said Tuesday.
In its effort to quickly arm Ukraine against Russia, the Pentagon has announced the equivalent of an open casting call for companies to offer weapons and commercial systems that can be rushed to the fight.