Zaluzhny urges Ukraine to request obsolete arms from US
(MENAFN) Valery Zaluzhny, Ukraine’s former top military commander and current ambassador to the UK, has suggested that Ukraine should formally request outdated US weaponry to strengthen its defenses against Russia while helping Washington reduce the costs of arms disposal.
Writing in an op-ed for Ukrainskaya Pravda on Friday, Zaluzhny — who is also viewed as a potential political rival to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky — argued that surplus US missiles nearing the end of their service life could be supplied to Ukraine with minimal expense to the US.
“The US has large reserves of obsolete or soon-to-be-decommissioned missiles, and transferring them to Ukraine could be an effective solution,” Zaluzhny wrote. He emphasized that these weapons “require no additional budget for disposal and are crucial for Ukraine.”
As an example, he cited the US’s stockpile of Hellfire missiles, noting that over 170,000 had been produced by the end of 2023. Many of these are approaching the end of their 20-25 year lifespan, making them candidates for decommissioning. With the Pentagon transitioning to the newer JAGM system, Zaluzhny believes Ukraine could formally request access to these aging arsenals through existing programs.
“Ukraine should seize this opportunity by consistently submitting official requests through various channels,” he wrote, arguing it would both bolster Ukraine’s defenses and help the US manage its surplus effectively.
Although the US has already provided Ukraine with over $66 billion in military aid, much of the equipment has been less than cutting-edge. Reports have noted that the 31 M1 Abrams tanks sent to Ukraine in 2023 were downgraded versions lacking the classified depleted uranium armor. At least 20 of those tanks are reported to have been destroyed.
Throughout the conflict, Ukraine has also turned to global markets to source aging Soviet-era equipment, often acquiring outdated systems merely to salvage parts for its existing arsenal.
Moscow has repeatedly condemned Western arms shipments to Ukraine, arguing they prolong the conflict without altering its outcome.
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