Ukraine war boosts European demand for US weapons, but not big-ticket items | – #Ukraine #war #boosts #European #demand #weapons #bigticket #items
WASHINGTON, February 17 (Reuters) – In Europe USA demand for their weapons is growing, but instead of big-ticket items like jets and tanks, their shopping lists are focused on cheaper, less sophisticated items like shoulder-fired missiles, artillery and drones. of Ukraine proved critical to the war effort.
Countries close to Russia, such as Poland, Finland and Germany, military in Europe, according to interviews with officials and industry executives and recent Reuters research USA they are signing deals on the production of their weapons, making new deals to buy weapons, and trying to accelerate existing contracts. announcements by governments and defense manufacturers.
The demand is concentrated around the main weapons and ammunition: 155 mm artillery shells, weather air defenses, communications equipment, shoulder-fired Javelin missiles and drones, dozens in Washington Europe military the attache told Reuters agency in his last interview.
Focus on high-volume, lower-cost weapons of the war in Ukraine Europe highlights how it changed strategic thinking about how to deal with future conflicts in its capitals.
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Visions of high-tech warfare relying more on computers and machines contrast with the reality of brutal artillery duels and soldiers dug into muddy trenches. substitute has been done. In the year-long war, both sides have expended large amounts of artillery shells and rockets.
Roman Schweizer, defense policy analyst at investment bank Cowen & Co. of Ukraine “high rates of use of both precision and unguided munitions NATO showed their countries that any future war will require more resources than expected,” he said.
The attachés said their governments were particularly interested in purchasing Javelins after seeing the weapon’s effectiveness in Ukraine. Rockets Russia proved to be deadly against tanks.
Meanwhile, five Europe the country has expressed interest in buying Raytheon Technologies’ ( RTX.N ) precision-guided 155-millimeter artillery shells. Rounds are accurate to within 12 feet (4 meters) and 20 miles (32 km) away.
The interests of the five countries have not been previously disclosed. The company already sells to three more European countries.
An expression of interest is the first step in a multi-step acquisition process that involves approval by the United States government and negotiations between the buyer and the arms contractor. It may take a year or more before the weapon is actually delivered.
Several spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media on behalf of their governments military the attache said they were making sure payments to their country’s defense contractors were on schedule and hoped to avoid delays. They said that the purchase of arms is now a domestic policy priority in their country.
USA gunmakers have complained in the past about customer delays during calls with investors.
DRONES BIG AND SMALL
Without complex sensors, cameras and other “extras” each approx 20 small drones costing millions of dollars and larger drones are also on shopping lists.
Finland and Denmark General Talks with Atomics began after Russia invaded Ukraine last February, a source familiar with the discussions told Reuters. They want to buy a small number of MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones that can be used for surveillance at sea and on land.
A spokesman for the Finnish Ministry of Defense declined to comment. A spokesman for Denmark’s defense ministry said it was in the process of acquiring at least two “long-range, long-endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft System(s)” to bolster “military capabilities in the Arctic,” without naming any companies.
Poland, which is eager to acquire the same model drones, will wait until it gets permission from the U.S. to buy new ones, according to two sources familiar with the situation. General Bought two of the previous generation models on lease from Atomics.
Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak confirmed the delivery in a tweet on February 12, though he did not have a number, and said that they Ukraine and will be used to monitor the country’s eastern border, which it shares with Russia’s ally Belarus.
Some European countries are also interested in starting the production of US weapons on their soil, as this would reduce the dependence on foreign imports and the cost of procurement.
In Germany, the arms manufacturer Rheinmetall is ready to increase the production of tank and artillery ammunition and Russia High Mobility Artillery Missile System (HIMARS) can begin production of mobile rocket launchers, CEO Armin Papperger told Reuters. read more
The system is currently manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corp ( LMT.N ) in Camden, Arkansas. It is not clear whether the system will be produced under license, joint venture or some other arrangement.
A Lockheed Martin spokesman declined to comment directly on the possibility that Rheinmetall would begin production of HIMARS. Lockheed Martin’s Eastern European business development manager for several missile programs, Rita Flaherty, said the company is “exploring joint manufacturing and technology transfer with several international partners.”
Latvia is also interested in the joint production of US military ammunition. “We recognize the benefits of local production of large-caliber ammunition,” military affairs spokesman Roberts Skraucs told Reuters.
Expectations remain high that European fears of Russian aggression will still generate orders for the biggest, billion-dollar US weapons, such as fighter jets and expensive missile defense systems with sophisticated radar.
The first orders for more expensive weapons are expected to be used to replenish the equipment sent by Poland to Ukraine. For example, Slovakia has expressed its readiness to send its MiG-29 aircraft to Ukraine. A likely one substitute Lockheed Martin will have the F-16s, which cost about $65 million each.
With increasing demand for US weapons bank founding investors The occupation of Ukraine Since its inception, the stock prices of the largest US defense contractors have increased – 35% in market value billion dollars increased.
ARTILLERY STILL OPEN
In particular, the demand for 155-millimeter artillery shells is high. The war in Ukraine highlighted the continued importance of artillery in disrupting enemy positions or preventing troop advances. Last year, the U.S. sent more than 1 million 155-millimeter rounds to Ukraine, a standard round that costs the U.S. military about $800 each.
According to an Army official, the US production target for 155mm rounds has tripled from 30,000 rounds per month to 90,000 per month over the next two years. A large increase in the USA, as well as Norway, Canada, Finland, which sends part of its reserves to Ukraine, Francereflecting the need to restock the supply of allies, including Germany and Italy.
“This is really an industrial type of war,” said Seth Jones of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, referring to the conflict, which requires a high volume of weapons in a short period of time.
Countries as well Ukraine At the beginning of the conflict, they realized the importance of having the Javelin anti-tank missile in their arsenal.
April 1 for Javelins and other weapons in Lithuania billion He said that he allocated euros. In May, Lockheed said it had doubled production, and by the end of the month, it had won a $309 million order with manufacturing partner Raytheon for more than 1,300 Javelin missiles for Norway, Albania, Latvia, as well as restocking US supplies to Ukraine. United States in August Britain approved a $300 million order for
Training for Javelins is relatively quick compared to the learning required for more complex platforms such as tanks and aircraft, and the weapons themselves are relatively inexpensive. Medium-range missiles allow the shooter to take cover after launch. A single Javelin costs the US military about $263,000.
Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington, DC Editing by Chris Sanders and Ross Colvin
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2023-02-17 11:06:37
Source – reuters
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