Grassley, Portman, Blumenthal, Durbin Urge Department of Defense to Send More Advanced Artillery Rocket Systems to Ukraine

WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) on a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, urging him to send more advanced artillery rocket systems and ammunition to Ukraine, as the systems are vital in Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s brutal invasion.

 

The senators commended the decision by the Biden administration earlier this month to send M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) to Ukraine, but the administration has decided to only send four – a number the senators say is far too low, given the amount of artillery Russia has at their disposal. The senators encouraged Secretary Austin to send additional systems urgently, like HIMARS or the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), in order to level the playing field for Ukraine and allow them to halt Russian advances in the Donbas region and strengthen their counteroffensives in other parts of the country.

 

“The outcome of Russia’s war against Ukraine will hinge on how firmly the West supports Ukrainian forces. Following the incredible defeat of early Russian attempts to topple Ukraine’s elected government and seize the entire nation, battlefield needs have understandably evolved and we must be nimble in meeting these changing needs. As a result, we ask that you urgently provide a significant number of additional artillery rocket systems to Ukraine,” the senators said.