AeroVironment Switchblade 600 Drone. Courtesy: AeroVironment
CNBC: U.S. sends 100 killer drones called Switchblades to Ukraine
* The U.S. included 100 killer drones called Switchblades in an arms package to Ukraine.
* Ukraine requested the equipment as it fights off a Russian invasion.
* President Joe Biden approved a massive defense aid package earlier this month.
WASHINGTON – The U.S. included 100 killer drones in a colossal weapons package for Ukraine that President Joe Biden approved earlier this month, U.S. officials confirmed Wednesday.
Celeste Wallander, assistant secretary of Defense for international security affairs, told lawmakers that Kyiv asked for the weapons, which are dubbed “kamikaze drones,” as it fights off a Russian invasion.
“We have committed 100 Switchblade tactical unmanned aerial systems to be delivered in the most recent package of presidential drawdown,” Wallander said in testimony before the House Armed Services Committee.
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WNU Editor: Ukraine will need more than 100 Switchblade drones to make a difference in this war.
U.S. To Sends 100 Switchblade Killer Drones To Ukraine
Inside the cutting-edge Switchblade drones the U.S. is shipping to Ukraine -- Yahoo
Pentagon official says US sending Ukraine 100 Switchblade drones -- The Hill
The latest US weapon heading to Ukraine: A 2-foot long, 5-pound drone designed for one-way missions -- Business Insider
The "kamikaze" drones the U.S. is giving to Ukraine -- Axios
The drones can loiter. You take out commanders and many times troops no longer move. 100 could be a cover for more. 100 could be replenished when 80% are gone. This is to ensure not too many end up in Russian hands or are sold on the black market.
ReplyDeleteThis might be similar to Afghanistan. The American gave out stingers and would not often replenish them unless an empty launcher tube was returned. The US did not want airliners shot down. They went around all through the 1990s and beyond buying up manpads.
The Putin's Ukrainian war is much bigger and faster than the Afghan war (1980s). What worked in Afghanistan won't work here. You parcel out the weapons piece meal and events will over take the CIA.
Correct ,
DeleteIn Syria we only gave al qaeda TOW missiles on a 1-to-1 basis. The "approved" groups were required to film and post a video of them using the missile on a Syrian target and a CIA or Pentagon official had to review and approve it before they would be given another. This is the type of granularity that is required to keep them off the black market.
ReplyDeleteGiven that our intentions here are to fuel an insurgency in the event of occupation, the expectation must be that many of these will be buried away in grandma's root cellar and possibly forgotten about. Maybe they have tracking devices like Obama's Fast and Furious shenanigans?
Wnu...they are getting much more than 100 switchblades, but 100 switchbladrs will be enough to liberate kyiv of Russian SP artillery bombardment .
ReplyDeleteYou almost sound dussaooint3d that the Russian army is getting its ass handed to it.