The Pentagon has announced a temporary suspension of certain weapons deliveries to Ukraine. According to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, the move is driven by the need to reassess the current U.S. arsenal, reports Baltimore Chronicle with reference to the Associated Press.
During a briefing on Wednesday, Parnell declined to specify exactly which systems were being withheld, but emphasized that the pause was necessary following years of unchecked distribution of arms. “I believe that during the four years of the Biden administration, we handed out weapons and ammunition without thinking about how much we had,” Parnell stated.
He added, “And I think this president (Donald Trump – Ed.) was elected because he puts the country’s interests and homeland security first.”
According to the AP, the pause affects Patriot missiles, high-precision GMLRS rockets, Hellfire missiles, and artillery shells for howitzers. A U.S. official also revealed that additional weapons being withheld include medium-range AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air radar-guided missiles, shorter-range Stinger missiles, and AT-4 anti-tank grenade launchers.
Politico reported that the Pentagon’s decision to halt certain arms shipments to Ukraine came as a surprise even to well-informed officials in the United States, including members of Congress and representatives of the State Department.
Earlier we wrote that key aide to U.S. defense secretary resigns after Pentagon scandal.