Ukraine receiving inoperable Western howitzers: NYT

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: New York Times
26 Nov 2022 22:57

A report published by New York Times details the challenges Ukraine's army is facing with regard to the constant breakdown or damage of crucial weapons used in combat.

US-made howitzers

Western-made artillery pieces sent to Ukraine are constantly going out of service or getting damaged in combat, according to a New York Times report.

One-third of the 350 howitzers that the US sent to Ukraine are currently inoperable - either due to overuse or damage in combat, according to sources quoted in a report published by the New York Times.

The report, published on Saturday, details the challenges Ukraine's army is facing with regard to the constant breakdown or damage of crucial weapons used in combat.

This has become a problem for the US Department of Defense, to which the DoD responded by installing a repair facility not too far from Ukraine's borders, in Poland.

Krab Howitzer with broken Barrel. This is because the Ukrainians have fewer howitzers available and use them more. Up to 200 Rounds per day from a single barrel. pic.twitter.com/5GjlJIC14C
— Robert Neal (@robert_neal) October 30, 2022

The Pentagon's European command's top priority is currently to repair weapons that have either been burnt out or damaged in combat.

The report states that repair efforts have already started in recent months, but reporters were unable to gather further information on the program since "the state of Ukraine’s arms is a closely held matter among US officials."

Some officials complain that they want the workshops to be set up closer to the frontlines, the report states.

Broken barrel of a 152 mm D-20 howitzer. Barrel wear or low-quality ammunition often leads to this. I saw a lot, but such a flower 🫡 #Ukraine️ #UkraineWillWin #ukrainecounteroffensive #UkraineRussiaWar pic.twitter.com/5HQ0GlwJbx
— Maximum Don’t forget to follow if you hate orc’s (@Flingan67) October 28, 2022

Kiev has been constantly asking for more and more weapons and shell deliveries. The US is said to have promised Ukraine a million more shells from its depleting stockpiles.

For the time being, maintenance crews are on standby in Poland, supervised by US European Command based in Stuttgart, Germany, to repair the howitzers and change their barrels. However, Ukrainian authorities are demanding that the maintenance sites move closer to the front lines.

From what is known, the Pentagon has spent over $2.6 billion in replacing weaponry in Ukraine for the ongoing fighting.

On November 25, it was reported that NATO forces took part on Friday in the TUMAK-22 drills in the Suwalki Gap in northern Poland, which simulated a confrontation with Russian forces.

According to the Polish Ministry, 2,000 troops from land and air forces took part in the TUMAK-22 exercises and more than 1,000 pieces of combat and logistical support equipment were used.