Pentagon working on plan to support AFU in long term – media

KYIV. Sept 7 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The U.S. military is preparing a detailed analysis and developing a plan to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the medium and long term, including after the end of the war with Russia, CNN said, citing three Pentagon officials.

As noted in the statement, the work is being led by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, is at an early stage and will take the next one or two months. " As well as the current conflict, which is expected to be lengthy, the US is looking, at least, at the next five years after the war is over," according to the article.

The analysis is being conducted jointly with the Ukrainians, and if approved by President Joseph Biden, it could lead to years of arms sales and a long-term U.S. military training program. It will be presented to the Ukrainian side for evaluation, but will contain a clear roadmap for how the United States believes Ukraine should develop its armed forces. Ukraine’s perspective will be critical to the final effort, a senior official said, and it will continually evolve over the next few months as the battlefield changes and Ukrainian forces advance.

"The initial effort could lead to recommendations for weapons and training, depending on the military strategy Ukraine approves. That could ultimately extend US and allied involvement with Ukraine for years to come through long-term, multi-year weapons contracts that could be initially finalized before the end of Biden’s first term," the officials said in the article.

U.S. opinion and initial plans could be discussed at a meeting between Milley and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin with allied counterparts in Germany at the Ramstein base on Thursday.

The analysis will also include an initial review of Ukraine’s needs for upgraded fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters to support highly mobile ground forces, officials said.

According to Pentagon officials, one of Ukraine’s most pressing needs is a steady supply of 155mm artillery ammunition, which is being used in large quantities in the current war, and the United States will need to replenish its own stocks. The Pentagon is working with industry across the board to boost production both for export to Ukraine and for rebuilding U.S. stocks of munitions and launch systems.

The United States is also considering funding modifications to existing systems, such as the Boeing Insitu ScanEagle drone, so that Ukraine can use them to collect vital intelligence on Russian radar and electronic communications systems.