West LA Times

WASHINGTON – This week, Representatives Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) urged the President to provide Ukraine with advanced drones to support its fight against Russia. In a letter, the Air Force veterans highlighted how these weapons systems would help Ukraine gain a competitive advantage on the battlefield. Previously, Reps. Lieu and Houlahan had urged the Administration to provide air assets such as A-10s and F-16s to the Ukrainian military, which the United States has since committed to doing.

In the letter, the Members write:

Dear Mr. President:

As Air Force Veterans, we write in support of your recent announcement that the United States will work with allies to train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets.  In April 2022, we wrote to your Administration urging you to provide air assets, including F-16s, to Ukraine.  In March 2022, we wrote to you in support of providing A-10 aircraft and F-16s to the Ukrainian military.  We have repeatedly expressed support for increased air assets to Ukraine, and we hope that your  announcement will pave the way for the U.S. and our allies to send advanced fighter jets to Ukraine in a timely manner. Thank you for making the decision to help Ukraine win.

While we are pleased that the Administration has recognized Ukraine’s need for these air assets, we urge you to also provide Ukraine with advanced drones that it needs to defend itself in the face of continued Russian aggression. Long-range drones, such as the MQ-1C Gray Eagle and Reaper MQ-9, would provide enhanced intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance capabilities and allow Ukraine to conduct longer-distance strikes.

In recent weeks, Ukraine has dedicated increased resources to rapid drone production.  The Ukrainian government announced in March new import laws and tax code rules to allow for a smoother and more efficient import process for drones and drone components. While we appreciate that your Administration has provided tactical, loitering munitions drones to Ukraine, such as Switchblade and Phoenix Ghost drones, advanced drones are necessary to provide Ukraine a competitive advantage on the battlefield.

Further, Russia continues to acquire Iranian-made drones. In February 2023, it was reported that the two countries plan to build a new factory in Russia that would make a minimum of 6,000 drones to be used by Russia against Ukraine.  Considering the deepening collaboration between Russia and Iran and Russia’s ongoing war crimes and brutality in Ukraine,  it is more critical than ever that the U.S. work with our allies and partners to provide Ukraine with what it needs to win.

The Russian military is facing challenges including a high death toll and poorly trained soldiers.  Despite these challenges, Vladimir Putin aims to wait out this war in the hopes that support for Ukraine will falter. We cannot allow that to happen. The U.S. and our NATO allies have provided Ukraine with significant amounts of military equipment. The United Kingdom announced last month that it will be providing Ukraine long-range drones.  We must build on this momentum.

We urge your Administration to provide Ukraine advanced drones to help Ukraine with this war. In modern warfare, air power is critical and can be decisive. We stand ready to work with your Administration and provide any assistance that may be needed from Congress. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.

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Issues: National Security and Foreign Affairs

Original source can be found here.