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Pentagon Asks the Arms Industry for New Weapons for Ukraine

The Pentagon posted a request for information on SAM.gov, a website for federal contracts

Ukrainian servicemen load Javelin anti-tank missiles, delivered as part of the United States's security assistance to Ukraine, into a military truck at the Boryspil Airport, outside Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, February 11, 2022 [AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky]

In its effort to send more weapons into Ukraine, the Pentagon has put out an open call to the arms industry to offer weapons and other systems that could rapidly be delivered to the country.

On SAM.gov, a website for federal contracts, the Pentagon posted a Request for Information (RFI) on new weapons that could be used by Ukraine. The post is the latest example of the Defense Department’s close coordination with the arms industry, which stands to gain long-term benefits from the war.

In the post, the Pentagon asks the industry to “Describe the weapon, product, or system you believe could assist the Ukrainian military.” It asks for a timeline of how fast the weapons could be delivered, and what capabilities the arms best support.

The types of weapons and systems the Pentagon seeks information on include air defense, anti-armor, anti-personnel, coastal defense, counter-battery, unmanned aerial systems, and communications equipment.

“The department is interested in learning about and discussing novel solutions, including from non-traditional weapons makers,” Pentagon spokesperson Jessica Maxwell told Defense News.

The Pentagon is also requesting information on whether the weapons are currently in production and if the Ukrainian military would require training to use them. The US recently began training Ukrainian forces on how to use Howitzers, which the US started sending to Kyiv for the first time earlier this month.

Ukrainian soldiers use a launcher with US Javelin missiles during military exercises in Donetsk region, Ukraine, in this image released Dec. 23, 2021, by Ukrainian Defense Ministry Press Service.

As part of an $800 million weapons package announced for Ukraine last week, the US sent Ukraine a new weapon known as the Phoenix Ghost drone. The Pentagon said it was specifically designed for Kyiv but offered little detail, only saying it was similar in capability to the Switchblade drones the US has been sending to Ukraine.

The US announced more military aid for Ukraine on Monday in the form of Foreign Military Financing (FMF), which provides funds to purchase US-made weapons. The US will be giving Ukraine $322 million in FMF aid, and $391 will go to 15 other European countries. Since Russia invaded on February 24, the US has pledged about $3.7 billion in new military aid for Ukraine.

Article published in AntiWar.com by Dave DeCamp.