Biden hypes Javelin as supplies run low, Russia takes countermeasures

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President Joe Biden championed the Javelin weapon as one of the most effective weapons used by Ukrainian troops during a Javelin plant trip in Alabama, while reservations remain about its anticipated effectiveness in the next phase of the fight due to supply shortages and changing battlefield conditions.

After touring a Lockheed Martin facility in Troy, Alabama, which makes Javelin anti-tank weapons, Biden stated that the weapon has proven "very effective" against a wide spectrum of armored targets in Ukraine, and then warned that action is needed to replenish the Pentagon's inventory.

"I urge the Congress to pass this funding quickly to help Ukraine continue to succeed… just as they did when they won the battle of Kiev, and to make sure the United States and our allies can replenish our stocks of weapons to replace what we’ve sent to Ukraine," Biden said during remarks at the facility on Tuesday.

Biden is ramping up his Javelin propaganda campaign precisely as surveys show that Americans are dissatisfied with his handling of the Ukraine problem.

Although the Biden administration has committed over $3.4 billion in military assistance to Kiev since Russia's operation began, including 5,500 javelins, this frustration persists, Congress is poised to approve an additional $33 billion in aid for Ukraine, including $20 billion in security assistance.

Hype vs. reality 

The Javelin FMG-148 is a man-portable anti-armor guided missile system produced by a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. It has a range of up to 2.5 miles and infrared technology that allows the operator to take cover immediately after firing.

According to Lockheed Martin, the weapon has a "game-changing capability" for the Ukrainian military. The gradual Russian progress and flow of Javelins into Ukraine, according to US sources, cannot be coincidental.

Read next: US weapons to Ukraine “in a big black hole” - US official

However, reports of Javelin's effectiveness have mostly been supported by anecdotal evidence, such as films and images that have circulated online.

Western media publications such as Newsweek have questioned Kiev's assertions that Ukraine forces have destroyed roughly 1,000 Russian tanks. Between 530 and 570 Russian armored vehicles have been taken out since the operation began, according to the UK defense ministry and Oryx intelligence.

Yet, even if effective in the early fighting near Kiev, doubts loom about its impact in the new phase of the conflict.

Constraint and risks 

Despite the much-touted approach, the United States may be unable to maintain the pace of weapon deliveries due to severe supply restrictions, including defense contractor component shortages. 

In any event, lawmakers say the US will be hard-pressed to replenish its stocks after handing over one-third of its available Javelin missiles to Ukraine. Raytheon has stated that it will not be able to ramp up manufacturing in time to meet Javelin and Stinger requirements until 2023-2024.

In response, the Biden administration stated that it is looking into ways to alleviate shortages, including assisting contractors in locating and removing manufacturing bottlenecks. Lockheed Martin, for its part, has stated that it will prepay component suppliers and increase production even before the Pentagon placed further orders.

Sanctions have complicated matters further because aerospace businesses require raw materials such as titanium manufactured in Russia, according to the Associated Press on Monday.