Western weapons for Ukraine in 2024: what and how much
21 February 2024 12:29
In recent days, a number of Western countries have announced new military aid packages for Ukraine, apparently timed to coincide with the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. It is noticeable that, against the backdrop of the situation with the United States, which has not yet made a decision on assistance, European countries have become much more active. 
has compiled what is currently known about Western assistance to Ukraine.
Denmark
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has said that the country will transfer all its artillery to Ukraine. According to open sources, this is not much. For example, Wikipedia wrote about 24 M109 self-propelled artillery systems, 6 M101 guns, 20 mortars and 12 MLRS as of 2014. It is unlikely that the situation has changed dramatically since then, but the number of weapons should have increased. In addition, such a statement in itself is a powerful message to the allies about the need for maximum support for Ukraine.
“Ukraine is asking for a lot of artillery. We have decided to donate all available artillery from Denmark. We see that Europe still has stocks. There are also air defence systems that we do not use and that we should give to Ukraine. We should not be pessimistic, we need to resolve this situation,”
– said Mette Frederiksen.
Sweden
The Swedish government has announced a record-breaking military aid package to Ukraine, with a focus on naval weapons worth USD 680 million. The package includes:
- 10 Stridsbåt 90 combat boats;
- 20 amphibious assault boats;
- underwater weapons, such as mines and torpedoes;
- anti-aircraft systems such as Robot 70;
- tOW anti-tank missiles;
- grenade launchers with ammunition;
- artillery ammunition;
- hand grenades;
- carl Gustav grenade launchers;
- medical equipment;
- ambulances.
SEK 1 billion (about $96 million) will be used to purchase military equipment through various funds and to order new CV90 combat vehicles for Ukraine.
Another SEK 400 million (about $38 million) will be spent on various educational initiatives for Ukrainians.
Norway
Since the beginning of this year, Norway has allowed itself to directly supply and sell weapons to Ukraine. It is known about 10 launchers of NASAMS air defence systems and 4 fire control centres for them.
“The Norwegian NASAMS system saves Ukrainian lives and prevents the destruction of buildings and infrastructure. Russian missile and drone attacks are large-scale and brutal, so air defence is absolutely crucial for Ukraine,”
– said Norwegian Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram.
Germany
Germany has announced a new military aid package worth €1.1 billion. It will include 36 units of armoured vehicles, 120,000 rounds of ammunition, 2 Skynex systems, and missiles for Iris-T air defence systems. Earlier, it was reported that Ukraine would receive or manufacture Pzh 2000 and RCH-155 air defence systems, air defence systems, hundreds of logistics vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles, RQ-35 HEIDRK UAVs, helicopters, etc. Ukraine is to become the first operator of the RCH-155, the first of which is to be delivered by the end of March. There is still no clear information about the long-range TAURUS missiles.
“This is evidence that we will support Ukraine for as long as it takes. We all want the war to end as soon as possible, but Russia is not ready for that. That is why we are sending a clear message to Putin: we will not stop supporting Ukraine, we continue to stand by it. Glory to Ukraine!”
– commented German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the latest aid package.
France
At the time of signing the security agreement with Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron said that this year they would allocate €3 billion for military assistance to Ukraine. However, after that, France revised its macroeconomic forecasts and found that this money would still have to be found. Nevertheless, according to Zelenskyy, it will include ammunition for artillery, guns, Caesar air defence systems, and additional air defence reinforcement. Training of Ukrainian soldiers will also continue.
Japan
Japan has become the leader in terms of financial support for Ukraine in early 2024, with its assistance reaching $2.2 billion in the first quarter alone. In total, it will amount to $4.6 billion this year. The peculiarity of Japan is that in this case, it is not about weapons, but at most about dual-use goods. Most of these funds are spent on humanitarian projects around the war.
Other countries
TheUK has announced £2.5 billion for this year. It is known that 200 million of this amount is allocated for the purchase and supply of strike and maritime drones.
Finland has announced another 22nd package of military aid worth 220 million euros, but traditionally does not disclose what it will supply.
Belgium has planned 611 million euros for Ukraine this year and training for Ukrainian pilots on F-16s.
TheNetherlands has earmarked €2 billion for weapons for Ukraine, of which €122 million has already been allocated.
Spain will provide armoured vehicles and light ships to Ukraine.
Australia has allocated USD 50 million to the International Fund for Ukraine.
Canada has allocated USD 15 million for the production of 10 Zodiac Hurricane multipurpose boats and will provide Ukraine with more than 800 SkyRanger R70 multipurpose drones. Canada will also provide Ukraine with drones worth $95 million.
Latvia has announced an aid package that will include artillery, ammunition, helicopters, drones, communications equipment, equipment and anti-tank weapons.
Lithuania announced an aid package worth €200 million.
Estonia will allocate 0.25% of its GDP to Ukraine for the next 4 years.
Czech Republic. President Petr Pavel said that he had found 500,000 155 mm artillery shells and 300,000 122 mm shells for Ukraine. These shells are scattered around the world, but the Czech president has a creative plan to deliver them. The only thing left to do is to find the funding.
USA
Since autumn 2023, the US Congress has been unable to agree on a bill on military aid to Ukraine. President Joe Biden has proposed a national security bill worth more than $100 billion, including $61 billion to help Kyiv.
The document was not approved by Republicans, who want to include in the bill tighter border and migration measures on the US-Mexico border.
US President Joe Biden said he would not support a bill to help Israel initiated by Republicans in the House of Representatives without taking into account Ukraine’s needs.
on 13 February, the US Senate passed a bill unblocking aid to Ukraine. It provides for aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan totalling $95.34 billion, of which $61 billion is earmarked for Ukraine.
The bill now needs to be supported by the US House of Representatives, where Republicans are also refusing to vote for aid to Ukraine.
“Festival of security agreements”
Against the backdrop of disappointing news from the US Congress, the “Festival of Security Agreements with Ukraine” is gaining momentum, with Western countries guaranteeing us security under bilateral agreements such as the Budapest Memorandum. Ukraine has already signed such agreements with the UK, Germany and France. The next step could be an agreement with Canada, the US, Italy or Poland, as the government is known to be in talks with these countries.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has said that the Scandinavian countries are also keen to join the process as soon as possible.
The United States Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, in turn, said that two rounds of talks had already taken place between Ukraine and the United States on the content and content of the relevant agreement with the US government.
Ukraine is desperately trying to enlist the support of the world. In particular, the following 5 points of the Ukrainian Formula for Peace were presented at this year’s Davos Economic Forum.
