Ukraine conflict: European countries supply Kyiv with more weapons

French President Emmanuel Macron told the Ouest-France newspaper on 22 April that France would supply Ukraine with “substantial equipment” ranging from MILAN anti-tank missiles to CAESAR self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) (pictured). (Nexter Systems)

European countries are supplying Ukraine with more and heavier weapons as the Russian invasion enters a new phase in the east of the country.

In a press conference following a meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo on 19 April, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said their two countries, in co-operation with other allies, would supply heavy weapons to Ukraine because of the Russian offensive in Donbas. Dutch Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren told parliament that the heavy equipment supplied by the Netherlands would include armoured vehicles, her ministry reported on its website on 19 April. She declined to specify what weapon systems or vehicles would be delivered for security reasons, but Bloomberg reported on 20 April that they include Panzerhaubitze 2000 (PzH 2000) self-propelled howitzers (SPHs), on which Ukrainians will be trained by Germany in Poland or Germany.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson told parliament on 19 April that Ukrainians were being trained “outside the immediate theatre of conflict” on Starstreak and other systems that the United Kingdom is supplying. Starstreak air defence systems are among the more than GBP100 million (nearly USD129 million)-worth of further UK military aid to Ukraine announced by Johnson on 8 April. In addition to more Starstreaks, the package includes 800 more Next-Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapon (NLAW) missiles and more Javelin anti-tank systems, loitering munitions, helmets, body armour, and night vision goggles.

Asked what anti-ship missiles the UK is sending to Ukraine, Johnson told parliament on 19 April that one of the systems being considered was the Brimstone mounted on technicals, among other options.