US Pentagon Comptroller, Michael McCord has warned US Congress of catastrophic consequences for Ukraine should funding for its ongoing defense be unavailable or delayed within the currently tabled continuing resolution.
In his letter to Minority Leader, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, McCord cites specifically that Ukraine's air defenses such as Patriot and Stinger missile systems that have been keeping Ukrainian cities safer by destroying hundreds of incoming Russian drones and missiles every week rely on ammunition being produced in US factories. Any delay in funding would endanger US support to the country's ground operations at a time when Russia is ramping up operations for a winter offensive.
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McCord explains that a lack of funding would not only be a disaster for Ukraine but for the newly renewed US defense industrial base that was largely dormant for many years. It is this dormancy that is often cited as the primary reason for the increased military ambitions we're seeing from China and Russia.
The letter states that "The other funding tool we need are those funds provided to replenish our military's inventories for the weapons and supplies we've provided to support Ukraine in their fight via drawdown. We have only $1.6 billion remaining of the $25.9 billion Congress has provided," continuing that "Without additional funding now, we would have to delay or curtail assistance to meet Ukraine's urgent requirements, including for air defense and ammunition that are critical and urgent now as Russia prepares to conduct a winter offensive and continues its bombardment of Ukrainian cities."
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The letter also states that 155MM, " Unmanned Aerial Systems, systems to detect, analyze, and locate adversary signals, and demolitions equipment. It would affect training, maintenance and sustainment of the equipment we have previously provided and other weapons for Ukraine will not be able to be supplied unless more funds are released," and other assistance would be cut.
The letter notes that "Delays to additional funding would also be perceived by Ukraine as a sign of wavering U.S. support and likely as a betrayal of our previous commitments. Allies and partners are also unlikely to sustain their increased level of support without clear, continuing U.S. leadership."
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