MOSCOW
The war in Ukraine has prompted Western leaders to send the country military equipment worth billions of dollars.
Experts say this, combined with the conflict’s role in pushing up military spending, will lead to a windfall for Western arms manufacturers – but there are risks.
Since the invasion, NATO countries have committed more than $8bn (£6.4bn) in military equipment for Ukraine, with $4.6bn (£3.7bn) coming from the US.
The UK has pledged £750m, while the EU has allocated €2bn (£1.7m).
Siemon Wezeman, a senior researcher at the arms transfers programme at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), says most of the weapons being sent to Ukraine are from existing military supplies.
Some countries have sent older items that were “on the way out already” – but many, like the US and UK, have sent newer stocks that will need to be replaced, he told Sky News.
The US has already approved a $9bn (£7.1bn) spending package to replenish supplies sent to Ukraine now and in the future.
US defence contractors are expected to be the biggest beneficiaries.
Washington is sending 6,500 Javelin anti-tank missile systems, which are made by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. The cost of each missile is about $78,000 (£66,000) and the reusable launcher is another $100,000 (£85,000). Ukraine will receive more of the systems from France and Estonia, with another 200 coming from the UK.
The US is also donating counter-artillery radar systems made by the same companies, along with American defence giant Northrop Grumman.
Another boon for Raytheon will come from the US decision to send 1,400 Stinger anti-aircraft missile launchers. The company has already been awarded a $625m (£494m) contract to replenish the stocks. Germany is giving Ukraine 500 of the systems and more are coming from Denmark, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania and the Netherlands.
