US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced American support for Ukraine’s domestic weapons production, particularly focusing on long-range strike capabilities, during his visit to Italy on 23 October 2024, according to the transcript of his press briefing, published by the Pentagon.
While answering journalists’ questions in Rome, Austin highlighted the effectiveness of Ukrainian-made drones, stating that “they’ve developed the capability to mass produce drones that are very, very effective and that can go impressive distances.”
The Pentagon chief emphasized the strategic advantage of these systems, noting that Ukrainian forces “can strike targets that are 400 kilometers beyond the border, and even deeper, with precision,” according to the Department of Defense transcript. Meanwhile, he noted that ATACMS missiles, supplied by the US to Ukraine but restricted from use against Russia, have a range of only 300 km.
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Austin specifically addressed the $800 million US pledge toward drone production, emphasizing the cost-effectiveness of these systems compared to traditional missiles.
“They can do that at a fraction of a cost of a ballistic missile,” Austin said, adding that “it makes sense to invest in that capability, in their ability to continue to scale.”
Regarding the delivery timeline of the US’ military aid, Austin assured that while some equipment delivery might take “weeks or in some cases a couple of months,” the Pentagon has outlined clear delivery schedules. When questioned about potential changes under a new administration after the upcoming presidential elections in the US, Austin expressed confidence that obligated materials would continue to flow.
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