In a surprising shift at the Pentagon, the Trump administration has opted to withdraw critical anti-drone technology from Ukraine, redirecting it instead to the U.S. Air Force in the Middle East. This includes rocket launchers used by Ukraine to intercept Russian drones.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Congress was briefed discreetly by the Pentagon last week. This decision coincides with Trump’s statement on Wednesday regarding a phone call with his Russian counterpart, who warned that Moscow would respond to recent Ukrainian attacks, diminishing hopes for a resolution to the war that has been ongoing since early 2022.
Absence from Key NATO Meeting
The announcement came alongside Hegsseth’s absence from a crucial NATO defense ministers’ meeting on Wednesday, during which coordination of assistance to Ukraine was discussed. He remarked that European allies should now take on a greater share of military support.
The U.S. Defense Secretary took further steps in an internal memo last month, authorizing a Pentagon office to allocate fuzes to the U.S. Air Force, despite them being originally procured for Ukraine, in order to meet the commanders’ weapon needs.
The Pentagon has not publicly commented on this decision. Washington has already depleted resources from its aid program and has not sought new funding for Ukraine, even though it is authorized to send up to $3.85 billion in weaponry from U.S. stocks.
Seleste Wallander, a former senior Pentagon official during the Biden administration, described the system as “vital” both for Ukraine and for safeguarding U.S. bases in the Middle East from drone threats posed by the Houthis and potentially Iran. Supporters of the decision contend that the government is within its rights to proceed with the reallocation under last year’s emergency defense spending bill.
Nonetheless, this shift has raised concerns among advocates for Ukraine in Congress, who argue the Pentagon has not adequately explained the implications for Ukrainian defense or the urgency of the Air Force’s requirements.
Ask me anything
Explore related questions
