Weapons

The federal government has shipped four of its 37 BAE Systems M777 howitzers, as well as ammunition, to Ukraine for use against Russian forces. with a stated range of 40km but accurate up to 30km, the 155mm guns were taken from the Canadian Army’s stock and are to be replaced. The government also promised more rounds for its Swedish-manufactured Carl Gustaf anti-tank recoilless rifles already in Ukraine and said it is finalizing contracts for armoured vehicles. [node:read-more:link]

About 50 Ukrainian artillerymen have been getting a crash course on U.S. 155mm howitzers. A first batch of 18 weapons and 40,000 rounds of ammunition was announced earlier this month, followed by 72 more howitzers and 144,000 rounds. “What we’re providing is done in full consultation with the Ukrainians,” a Pentagon spokesman said April 21. [node:read-more:link]

More than 120 hitherto classified tactical drones designed by the U.S. Air Force are included in the latest U.S. arms package for Ukraine. Similar in concept to the proven Switchblade “suicide” weapon, the Phoenix Ghost was developed to meet requirements which “very closely” match what Ukraine needs against Russian invaders in the Donbas region. [node:read-more:link]

A successful test today of Russia’s Sarmat ICBM, launched from the country’ northwest and hitting targets on the Kamchatka Peninsula in the far east drew praise and a threat from President Vladimir Putin. “This truly unique weapon will strengthen the combat potential of our armed forces, reliably ensure the security of Russia from external threats,” he said in a televised address, adding that it would “make those who, in the heat of aggressive rhetoric, try to threaten our country think twice.” [node:read-more:link]

As Russian forces mount a new offensive in Ukraine, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said April 19 that Canada would have news “in the coming days” about supplying “heavy artillery” to Ukraine. he offered no details but the Canadian Army’s largest artillery piece is the British M777 155mm howitzer, which has a range up to 40 kilometres. [node:read-more:link]

China has delivered anti-aircraft missile systems to Serbia under a contract signed in 2020. Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said April 11 that the delivery was part of the two countries’ annual cooperation plan and has “nothing to do” with current regional tensions. [node:read-more:link]

Australia, Britain and the U.S. have agreed to cooperate on hypersonic weapons and electronic warfare capabilities, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s office announced April 5. Australia and the U.S. already have a hypersonics weapon program but while Britain’s involvement is designed to increase all three countries’ options, it would not be joining the bilateral program at this time. [node:read-more:link]

The U.S. Air Force and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency have confirmed the successful test of a hypersonic missile in March. The development was not announced earlier to avoid exacerbating tensions with Russia as it invaded Ukraine. Developed by Lockheed Martin and Aerojet Rocketdyne and released from a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, the missile surpassed Mach 5, topped 65,000 feet altitude and flew more than 300 miles. [node:read-more:link]

The U.S. Department of Defense is sending Ukraine an additional $300 million of war-fighting equipment. Procured from manufacturers rather than DoD stockpiles, it includes laser-guided missile systems and surveillance and tactical drones as well as array of other gear on top of $1.6 billion in “security assistance” already shipped since Russia’s invasion began. [node:read-more:link]

In the aftermath of his country’s test of an ICBM, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is planning to develop more powerful weaponry to give his country “formidable striking capabilities . . . that cannot be stopped.” The official Korean Central News Agency report March 28 suggests additional missile tests and possibly resuming underground nuclear tests which it stopped in 2017. [node:read-more:link]

Having shipped thousands of Javelin and Stinger missile systems to Eastern Europe since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine a month ago, the U.S. is moving to restock. “I think we can do it,” says Doug Bush, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, explaining that it will involve an assessment of the Army’s needs, supply chains, long-lead procurement and ancillary equipment. [node:read-more:link]

Japanese and South Korean observers said that North Korea today launched its first ICBM since 2017. The missile reached an altitude of 3,728 miles and travelled 683 miles downrange before crashing into the sea west of Japan. South Korea says it was more powerful that the last ICBM launched by its neighbour. [node:read-more:link]

Britain is deploying a new medium- range air-defence system and 100 personnel to Poland to bolster its ability to deter what Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said March 17 could be “further aggression from Russia.” Part of a growing NATO commitment to regional defence, the MBDA-developed Sky Sabre replaces Rapier missiles dating to the 1970s and uses a Saab radar and Rafael command-and-control system. [node:read-more:link]

Ukraine received a fresh shipment of armed drones from Turkey last week, Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has confirmed, adding that they were immediately deployed. Before the Russian invasion, Ukraine had approximately 20 Bayraktar TB2s and had ordered more with the eventual goal of producing a larger version domestically under licence. [node:read-more:link]

Canada is sending Ukraine 100 shoulder-launch Carl Gustav anti-tank launchers and 2,000 missiles manufactured by Saab Bofors Dynamics in Sweden. In addition to lauding Ukraine’s “heroic defence” against Russia’s “brutal assault”, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed that his government is prepared to welcome more Ukrainian refugees and is banning imports of Russian crude oil. [node:read-more:link]