Ukraine Grudgingly Seeks Defensive Technology

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Ukraine, the war-torn east European country, has not yet gained approval to purchase lethal arms from the US. Until then, the Ukrainian military is busy searching for defensive capabilities that can give it a leg up in the short term.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, vice prime minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, told Defense News in a recent interview that Ukraine needs to obtain high-end capabilities to be on equal standing with Russian forces, who are using the never-calm situation in disputed territories as “training ground” for its “most modern equipment.”

“In terms of defensive weapons, there are radars that we need to make sure we are protecting our soldiers from the attacks. Anti-drone weapons and artillery, anti-tank [weapons], that is something we have to deal with,” Klympush-Tsintsadze said. “We are so far definitely concentrating on defensive weapons, and that is something that helps us to build defense capabilities.”

Ukraine has until now been using unarmed Raven drones and Humvees provided by the US, but Washington has so far refused to provide the country with more advanced weaponry. US officials have at times cautioned against providing Ukraine with advanced arms, including former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, who has said that Ukraine’s military is not sophisticated enough to handle them.

Klympush-Tsintsadze, who has recently visited the US with the hope of persuading American officials of the progress that Ukraine has been showing as a military nation, notably met with Rose Gottemoeller, who overseen potential weapons transfers to other nations.

At this stage, Ukraine is focused on acquiring defensive technology, but the hope remains that long-term it could be provided with lethal technology as well.

“We are not giving up on persuading our partners that lethal weapons would be the answer at some point,” Klympush-Tsintsadze said. “Ukraine has never been the nation that ever conquered anybody, so even lethal weapons would be something to protect ourselves and makes sure we are capable of protecting our land and people.”