Javelin missile systems arrive in Ukraine - Poroshenko
Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko has confirmed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have received Javelin anti-tank missile systems from the United States.
"I welcome the lively interest, both in Ukraine and beyond, in the delivery of Javelin systems for us. I can only confirm that, yes, the long-awaited weapon has arrived to the Ukrainian army. And it has significantly strengthened the powerful deterring effect of our combat capability and Euro-Atlantic security. We continue working on boosting our defense potential for the purpose of repelling the Russian aggression," Poroshenko wrote on his Facebook page on Monday evening.
He expressed sincere gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump for the decision "in support of Ukraine, in defense of freedom and democracy."
"Washington not only fulfilled our joint agreement, but also demonstrated leadership and an important example," Poroshenko said.
He also said that he expected the firmness of the position of all Ukraine's partners, first of all the G7 countries: "The price for the Kremlin's ongoing aggression against Ukraine should continue to grow."
As reported, in early March 2018, the U.S. State Department approved the supply of Javelin anti-tank missile systems to Ukraine.
"The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Ukraine of Javelin Missiles and Javelin Command Launch Units (CLUs) for an estimated cost of $47 million," a report posted on the website of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.
It stated that the agency had delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale.
The agency reported that Ukraine had requested to buy 210 Javelin missiles and 37 Javelin Command Launch Units, including two CLUs to be used as spares.
"This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of Ukraine. The Javelin system will help Ukraine build its long-term defense capacity to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity in order to meet its national defense requirements," the report said.
It noted that supplies "will not alter the basic military balance in the region." The prime contractors will be Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture of Orlando, Florida and Tucson, Arizona.