After first reports on Ukraine’s use of anti-radiation missiles against Russian targets emerged in the past days, the US defense ministry has confirmed the missiles were part of previous defense aid packages.
Announcing an additional $1 billion in security assistance, US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl said “recent packages for Ukraine included a number of anti-radiation missiles that can be fired off Ukrainian aircraft.”
The US defense ministry did not previously disclose the transfer of such capabilities.
Kahl did not specify the type of the missile that was sent, nor which Ukrainian aircraft can employ these missiles that seek out enemy radars employed by air defense systems and destroy them.
Photos of the remains of the anti-radiation missile shared by Russian soldiers appeared to show remains of an AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missile.
Russian channels have posted images of what appear to be the remains of an AGM-88 HARM antiradiation missile. A fragment of the HARM’s BSU-60A/B stabilization fin can be seen in the wreckage.
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) August 7, 2022
The missile was reportedly fired at a Russian position. pic.twitter.com/GCNA55CJdj
Kahl confirmed the transfer of the missiles as he detailed a record Presidential Drawdown that will provide additional ammunition, weapons, and equipment.
Included in the 18th drawdown are additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), 75,000 rounds of 155mm artillery ammunition, 20 120mm mortar systems and 20,000 rounds of 120mm mortar ammunition.
Also included are munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), 1,000 Javelin and hundreds of AT4 anti-armor systems.
Other equipment includes 50 armored medical treatment vehicles, Claymore anti-personnel munitions, C-4 explosives, demolition munitions, and demolition equipment.
In total, the United States has now committed approximately $9.8 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden administration.
