US freezes arms supplies to NATO allies for Ukraine due to the shutdown
According to Axios, due to the long US government shutdown, which has been going on for 40 days, State Department Suspended approval of arms sales contracts to NATO allies, including supplies of strategic importance to Ukraine.
Under threat - HIMARS, Aegis and AMRAAM
According to State Department sources, the freeze affected several key defence programmes:
HIMARS - multiple launch rocket systems, which are actively used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
Aegis - missile defence systems in service with NATO navies;
AMRAAM - air-to-air guided missiles needed to strengthen the defence of Ukrainian skies.
Delivery is temporary suspended due to lack of approved budget, The Ministry of Finance is responsible for the coordination of interagency procedures and logistical costs.
Record government paralysis
The shutdown has been going on for some time now a record 40 days, becoming the longest in US history.
Due to the lack of a new budget Funding for most federal agencies has been suspended, including those responsible for control over arms exports.
This means that even agreed contracts cannot be formally signed or paid for, until Congress passes a new financial bill.
Implications for Ukraine
Delays in the delivery of arms can to influence the pace of rearmament of the Ukrainian army, The US and allied air defence systems and missile systems are used to defend the country.
Analysts believe that if the budget crisis is not resolved in the near future, it will disrupt production and delivery schedules not only for Ukraine, but also for the Baltic States, Poland and Romania, which are key partners in NATO's eastern flank.
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