The US has approved the sale of Javelin missiles and launch units at an estimated cost of nearly $40 million to Ukraine. The purchase request included 150 Javelin missiles and 10 Javelin Command Launch Units, training devices, support equipment, training and support services, and other related elements.
The Javelin system will help Ukraine build its long-term defense capacity to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity in order to meet its national defense requirements. Additionally, the missiles will help Ukraine defend herself from Russian aggression.
The FGM-148 Javelin is a U.S.-made man-portable fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile that locks on and uses automatic infrared guidance, allowing the user to take cover immediately.
The Ukrainian government is at war against eastern separatists backed by the Russian government. Nearly 13,000 people have been killed since the start of the insurgency, which broke out in April 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
