[Goose]

Another issue that has not been mentioned is that the artillery we have been providing, the M777 and similar are wearing out and the barrels need replacing.  To get more range they are using more powder and that significantly impairs the life of the barrels.  I don't think this problem extends to HIMARS and we really need to get more of them to the Ukraine ASAP.

The M777 barrel issue has been addressed previously. Apparently there are spare barrels provided with the guns. It also is supposedly an easy task to change them. I do not know for sure that there are people in Ukraine that can do this. However, I suspect this problem is under control, as it is a fully expected maintenance item. However, since Ukraine is using the guns at a higher rate than NATO does, the number of spares available may not be adequate in the long term. I hope somebody is on that one.

HIMARS do require maintenance but as you say there is no barrel wear equivalent. Ukraine certainly wants more HIMARS. I would support supplying them, but I think there may be concern about the missile supply. Why we haven't supplied more isn't public knowledge, so we can't say whether what we are doing is reasonable or not.

[Goose]

Another issue that has not been mentioned is that the artillery we have been providing, the M777 and similar are wearing out and the barrels need replacing.  To get more range they are using more powder and that significantly impairs the life of the barrels.  I don't think this problem extends to HIMARS and we really need to get more of them to the Ukraine ASAP.

The M777 barrel issue has been addressed previously. Apparently there are spare barrels provided with the guns. It also is supposedly an easy task to change them. I do not know for sure that there are people in Ukraine that can do this. However, I suspect this problem is under control, as it is a fully expected maintenance item. However, since Ukraine is using the guns at a higher rate than NATO does, the number of spares available may not be adequate in the long term. I hope somebody is on that one.

HIMARS do require maintenance but as you say there is no barrel wear equivalent. Ukraine certainly wants more HIMARS. I would support supplying them, but I think there may be concern about the missile supply. Why we haven't supplied more isn't public knowledge, so we can't say whether what we are doing is reasonable or not.