Arizona’s industry partners have produced essential munitions, vehicles, and equipment for Ukraine’s defense, and critical work at Arizona’s military bases has supported Ukrainian military operations
WASHINGTON – Arizona Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly urged the administration to maintain and expand support for Arizona’s military bases and defense community – highlighting the role they have played in helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia.
Sinema and Kelly helped shape the bipartisan national security supplemental to ensure that military and humanitarian aid continues to flow to Ukraine.
“We are proud of the pivotal role our military has played in deterring Russian aggression and providing our Ukrainian partners with the training and logistical support they need to employ U.S. military equipment. We’re urging the administration to fully utilize Arizona’s defense community as it makes aid allocation decisions,” wrote the senators.
On February 24, 2022, Russian and Belarusian military forces launched an unprovoked and illegal attack on Ukraine. Sinema and Kelly underscored the importance of Arizona’s military installations for their training, testing, and demonstration work that strengthens Ukraine and enhances the collective security of the United States, our allies, and our partners by ensuring U.S. military technology and tactics stay ahead of our adversaries.
The senators highlighted how cutting-edge, Arizona-produced military equipment, can reinforce Ukraine’s defense such as Phoenix Ghost drones for their long-range strike capability, Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) for their sterling air defense record, and M1 Abrams tanks for their criticality in frontline, direct engagements. The senators also encouraged the administration to continue training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s at Morris Air National Guard Base in Arizona. Further, Sinema and Kelly strongly recommended utilizing Yuma Proving Ground to continue demonstrating new systems for countering small drones and Fort Huachuca to conduct electronic warfare experiments based on the lessons learned from the frontline about Russia’s evolving capabilities.
Click HERE to read the senators’ letter to President Biden.