Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umierov announced on 10 October that Ukraine will receive more AS-90 self-propelled artillery units by the end of 2024, following a meeting with UK Defense Secretary John Healey. Umierov also revealed positive developments regarding long-range weapons and robotic systems.
“More AS-90 artillery systems will appear on the front by the end of the year. We also have good news about long-range weapons and robotic systems – the enemy will feel this on the battlefield,” Umerov said, according to Liga.
The Ukrainian defense minister praised the UK’s proactive approach in supplying Ukraine’s defense forces with necessary ammunition, including artillery, mortar, air defense, and anti-tank mines. Umerov stated that this sets an example for Ukraine’s other allies.
During their meeting, Umerov and Healey reached an agreement on financing Ukraine’s priority defense needs using frozen Russian assets. They also discussed investments in Ukraine’s defense industry and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Victory Plan.
The AS-90 (Gun Equipment 155 mm L131) is a British self-propelled artillery unit weighing 45 tons. It is armed with a 155 mm caliber gun with a barrel length of 39 calibers and has a firing range of up to 30 km. The AS-90 can fire three rounds in 10 seconds in rapid succession, six rounds in three minutes at a fast pace, and two rounds per minute at a sustained rate. The first AS-90 units arrived in Ukraine in late April 2022.
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