[Goose]

It sounds like another aid package from the US is set to be announced soon.  Possibly 450 million to 500 million, likely to include "some more" HIMARS and artillery ammo.  Doesn't sound like it's going to be a of immense proportions amount, maybe 4 or 8 more HIMARS, and who knows how much artillery ammo.  I'm assuming that could be M777 and/or HIMARS rounds.  We are really seeing a slow down in aid packages and amounts per package, I think the US is trying to make sure they are able to continue to support Ukraine without running out soon.  I wonder if congress will have the appetite for another large bill, especially after the midterms when the GOP likely takes congress.

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It looks like 4 more HIMARS in the new package.

It would be OK to slow down if it was because Ukraine couldn't absorb more HIMARS right now. If we are worried that losing 8 or 12 HIMARS to Ukraine would adversely impact our national security, how would that differ from losses due to enemy action? We have enough to do much better than that. However, this whole experience should lead our congress to examine what the military really needs in light of what we now have seen in Ukraine and what it needs to cost to make meeting those needs possible. The current system is horrible and has been for years.

That said, sending 4 or 8 more HIMARS makes no sense unless their is a plan for the way forward. If Ukraine actually needs 300 HIMARS to win this war, can we supply them? I suspect not. Only 540 were built. We do have lots more M270 MLRS however. Lots of the rockets for these systems were DPICM. These rockets were "upgraded" for precision strike. Whether that was a good idea is IMHO very questionable. When you have an area target, like an artillery position, DPICM is probably much more useful and effective. How much ammunition we currently have for these systems I don't know, but probably not enough for a conventional war against Russia. We haven't been planning for such an event since the late 80s. No point in spending money we don't need to.

[Goose]

It sounds like another aid package from the US is set to be announced soon.  Possibly 450 million to 500 million, likely to include "some more" HIMARS and artillery ammo.  Doesn't sound like it's going to be a of immense proportions amount, maybe 4 or 8 more HIMARS, and who knows how much artillery ammo.  I'm assuming that could be M777 and/or HIMARS rounds.  We are really seeing a slow down in aid packages and amounts per package, I think the US is trying to make sure they are able to continue to support Ukraine without running out soon.  I wonder if congress will have the appetite for another large bill, especially after the midterms when the GOP likely takes congress.

---

It looks like 4 more HIMARS in the new package.

It would be OK to slow down if it was because Ukraine couldn't absorb more HIMARS right now. If we are worried that losing 8 or 12 HIMARS to Ukraine would adversely impact our national security, how would that differ from losses due to enemy action? We have enough to do much better than that. However, this whole experience should lead our congress to examine what the military really needs in light of what we now have seen in Ukraine and what it needs to cost to make meeting those needs possible. The current system is horrible and has been for years.

That said, sending 4 or 8 more HIMARS makes no sense unless their is a plan for the way forward. If Ukraine actually needs 300 HIMARS to win this war, can we supply them? I suspect not. Only 540 were built. We do have lots more M270 MLRS however. Lots of the rockets for these systems were DPICM. These rockets were "upgraded" for precision strike. Whether that was a good idea is IMHO very questionable. When you have an area target, like an artillery position, DPICM is probably much more useful and effective. How much ammunition we currently have for these systems I don't know, but probably not enough for a conventional war against Russia. We haven't been planning for such an event since the late 80s. No point in spending money we don't need to.