Retired Army Major Warns U.S. Weapons Rollout to Ukraine Is Too Slow

The United States recently began sending air defense systems and other supplies to aid Ukraine in the war against Russia, but one military expert believes the effort is too slow to be impactful.

Since Russia began its war against Ukraine on February 24, the U.S. has aided the Ukraine forces by supplying them with everything from missiles to small arms ammunition and helmets. The latest U.S. aid includes four American-made Avenger air defense systems.

But retired U.S. Army Major John Spencer believes it's too little too late.

"Ok. If not Patriot missiles systems (a great deterrent but tradeoffs on immediate needs/requirements) for Ukraine, the U.S. could send a lot more than just 4 of the Avenger Air Defense Systems," Spencer tweeted on Sunday while sharing the forces.net article. "We did the same with HIMARS...too slow, too incremental."

Forces.net, a website publishing military-related news, reported that the Avenger air defense systems are designed for short-range use. They are typically mounted on a military vehicle like a Humvee and are used to shoot down targets, such as cruise missiles and kamikaze drones, from up to five miles away. The systems resemble a turret equipped with two four-round Stinger surface-to-air missiles and an M3P .50-caliber machine gun. The devices also have infrared and laser range finders to identify targets.

Ukraine has been plagued by cruise missiles and kamikaze drones throughout the war as Russia launches air attacks aimed at critical infrastructure such as energy facilities, bridges and residential buildings. Ukraine has attempted to deflect the attacks by shooting down some with missiles of its own and those supplied by other nations, like HIMARS, but Ukraine still suffers from air attacks.

HIMARS have been instrumental in Ukraine's air defense strategy. The missiles allow Ukraine to strike Russia from a greater distance.

In October, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky petitioned the G-7, an informal grouping of seven nations with advanced economies including the United States, for more military aid and stronger sanctions. A month later, the United States announced a $400 million security aid package to be sent to Ukraine. The package included the Avenger systems, as well as other types of missiles.

Shortly after the announcement, Zelensky tweeted his gratitude for the supplies and thanked the U.S. for its solidarity.

"Together we're building an air shield to protect civilians," Zelensky tweeted.

In late November, Security Assistance Monitor tweeted that the U.S. was considering supplying Ukraine with Patriot surface-to-air missiles, which would complement the NASAMS, HAWK and Avenger systems, but the deal is not official.

Newsweek reached out to Spencer for comment.