1/17
Press briefing: US Def Sec #Austin and Gen. #Milley after the 3rd #Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Brussels.
Selected points: (note, this is *not* a NATO meeting. It's an ad hoc group, that has now grown to 50 countries.)
via
@YouTube
Press briefing: US Def Sec #Austin and Gen. #Milley after the 3rd #Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Brussels.
Selected points: (note, this is *not* a NATO meeting. It's an ad hoc group, that has now grown to 50 countries.)
via
@YouTube
2/17
DefSec Austin:
Fact we have 50 countries pledging mil aid to #Ukraine testament to how RUS unprovoked invasion has horrified and galvanised the world, and testament to #heroism of Ukrainian people
DefSec Austin:
Fact we have 50 countries pledging mil aid to #Ukraine testament to how RUS unprovoked invasion has horrified and galvanised the world, and testament to #heroism of Ukrainian people
3/17
DefSec Austin:
In May, US #Congress approved 40 bn USD in assistance to UA. On 1 June, POTUS auth. further 700 mill USD mil package incl #HIMARS rocket system and guided munitions, plus #Javelins, helicopters, counter-battery radars and ammunition.
DefSec Austin:
In May, US #Congress approved 40 bn USD in assistance to UA. On 1 June, POTUS auth. further 700 mill USD mil package incl #HIMARS rocket system and guided munitions, plus #Javelins, helicopters, counter-battery radars and ammunition.
4/17
DefSec Austin:
Today US announces additional 1 billion USD sec asst package. That's our 12th drawdown from DOD inventories since Aug 2021. Package includes guided #MLRS munitions, 18 additional M777 #howitzers, tactical vehicles to tow them, and 36,000 rounds of 155 ammo.
DefSec Austin:
Today US announces additional 1 billion USD sec asst package. That's our 12th drawdown from DOD inventories since Aug 2021. Package includes guided #MLRS munitions, 18 additional M777 #howitzers, tactical vehicles to tow them, and 36,000 rounds of 155 ammo.
5/17
DefSec Austin:
Today's package also includes 650 mill USD in Sec Asst Initiative funds, covering 2 extra #Harpoon coastal def systems, plus thousands of secure radios, night-vision devices, thermal sights, and other optics.
DefSec Austin:
Today's package also includes 650 mill USD in Sec Asst Initiative funds, covering 2 extra #Harpoon coastal def systems, plus thousands of secure radios, night-vision devices, thermal sights, and other optics.
6/17
DefSec Austin:
Significant Allied pledges. Many contributions, but to highlight a few:
Germany: to provide 3 MLRS & guided MLRS munitions
This means #Germany now joins US-UK work to develop UA long-range fires capabilities, which also relates to US transfer of HIMARS
DefSec Austin:
Significant Allied pledges. Many contributions, but to highlight a few:
Germany: to provide 3 MLRS & guided MLRS munitions
This means #Germany now joins US-UK work to develop UA long-range fires capabilities, which also relates to US transfer of HIMARS
7/17
DefSec Austin:
#Slovakia: significant donation of Mi- series helicopters and rocket ammunition
#Canada, #Poland, #Netherlands: New artillery donations
DefSec Austin:
#Slovakia: significant donation of Mi- series helicopters and rocket ammunition
#Canada, #Poland, #Netherlands: New artillery donations
8/17
Gen. Milley:
Allied assistance has had an effect. Ukrainians are fighting tooth and nail, every day. The Ministers and Chiefs meeting today are committed to provide Ukrainians the means to defend their territory.
Gen. Milley:
Allied assistance has had an effect. Ukrainians are fighting tooth and nail, every day. The Ministers and Chiefs meeting today are committed to provide Ukrainians the means to defend their territory.
9/17
Q&A:
Q: based on widely circulated tweet showing UA request of 1000 howitzers, 500 tanks.
Gen. Milley: don't know your numbers, we respond to official requests. UA asked for 10 art. bn. they got 12. Asked for 200 tanks they got 237. Asked 100 IFVs, got 300+.
Q&A:
Q: based on widely circulated tweet showing UA request of 1000 howitzers, 500 tanks.
Gen. Milley: don't know your numbers, we respond to official requests. UA asked for 10 art. bn. they got 12. Asked for 200 tanks they got 237. Asked 100 IFVs, got 300+.
10/17
Gen Milley: on Donbas. Nothing inevitable, but currently, RUS dominate, they outgun and outrange the Ukrainians. But: RUS advances slowly, tough slog, attrition almost like in WW1.
Gen Milley: on Donbas. Nothing inevitable, but currently, RUS dominate, they outgun and outrange the Ukrainians. But: RUS advances slowly, tough slog, attrition almost like in WW1.
11/17
Challenge on numbers again:
Austin: HIMARS and M270 MLRS not comparable with other MLRS - former are w. precision munitions. With good training, they will hit, it's a good capability.
We think that, over time, the assistance will make a difference.
Challenge on numbers again:
Austin: HIMARS and M270 MLRS not comparable with other MLRS - former are w. precision munitions. With good training, they will hit, it's a good capability.
We think that, over time, the assistance will make a difference.
12/17
Austin a bit uncomfortable on the numbers questions. Then switched pace. When you're in a fight, and we've been there, you always want more, as much as possible. But we'll continue to get them what we can. We're going to work hard to get them the capabilities they need.
Austin a bit uncomfortable on the numbers questions. Then switched pace. When you're in a fight, and we've been there, you always want more, as much as possible. But we'll continue to get them what we can. We're going to work hard to get them the capabilities they need.
13/17
Gen. Milley: We've given them tools, several different ranges. Note again with HIMARS, we're talking precision munitions, if used properly can take out a lot of targets. Ukrainians are great gunners, they're achieving good results with the M777, we expect same with HIMARS.
Gen. Milley: We've given them tools, several different ranges. Note again with HIMARS, we're talking precision munitions, if used properly can take out a lot of targets. Ukrainians are great gunners, they're achieving good results with the M777, we expect same with HIMARS.
14/17
Q: War aims? Attrition rate sustainable?
Austin: the op-ed by POTUS lays out US goals
We're going to continue to support. We have all 30 NATO nations plus an extra 20, supporting.
Q: War aims? Attrition rate sustainable?
Austin: the op-ed by POTUS lays out US goals
We're going to continue to support. We have all 30 NATO nations plus an extra 20, supporting.
15/17
Gen. Milley:
on attrition rates, hard to estimate accurately, but media reports of UKR taking 100 KIA, 200-300 WIA per day - we have similar assessment. Too high? We think they can sustain because of their will, they're fighting for their country.
Gen. Milley:
on attrition rates, hard to estimate accurately, but media reports of UKR taking 100 KIA, 200-300 WIA per day - we have similar assessment. Too high? We think they can sustain because of their will, they're fighting for their country.
16/17
Again questions on numbers, and related, why only 18 howitzers at this time?
Austin: other countries also helping on artillery and ammo. UKR actually has a lot of 155 ammo at this time. US sent in 108 + 18 howitzers. Add to that supplies from others.
Again questions on numbers, and related, why only 18 howitzers at this time?
Austin: other countries also helping on artillery and ammo. UKR actually has a lot of 155 ammo at this time. US sent in 108 + 18 howitzers. Add to that supplies from others.
17/17
Gen. Milley:
RUS do outnumber, some say 6-to-1, others say more. RUS doing mass fire. But mil. effect less good.
UA more precise, more effective.
Today, sum of pledges almost 100 artillery tubes; 300-400 tubes total since start.
HIMARS coming in, just the beginning.
Gen. Milley:
RUS do outnumber, some say 6-to-1, others say more. RUS doing mass fire. But mil. effect less good.
UA more precise, more effective.
Today, sum of pledges almost 100 artillery tubes; 300-400 tubes total since start.
HIMARS coming in, just the beginning.
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