Battle tanks, long-range missiles & howitzers – what weapons has Trump pulled plug on & what it means for Ukraine war

UKRAINE’S war chest has taken a massive hit after Donald Trump paused US military aid — halting the supply of billions of dollars’ worth of battle tanks, long-range missiles, and air defense systems.

Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, the United States has been Ukraine’s biggest backer, providing $65.9 billion in military support.

AFPUS President Donald Trump has put a halt to American military aid to Ukraine[/caption]

AFPTrump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) had a heated clash during their meeting at the White House last week[/caption]

GettyUkrainian forces will have to push through without America’s big bucks and arsenal[/caption]

But that pipeline is now in doubt after Trump made a dramatic U-turn on Washington’s commitment to Kyiv.

The stunning decision came after a fiery Oval Office showdown between Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky, with the US leader warning that the Ukrainian president “will not be around very long” unless he agrees to America’s terms for a peace deal.

Trump has accused Zelensky of deliberately dragging out the war and insisted that a peace agreement with Russia “could be made very fast” – if Kyiv was willing to negotiate

The aid freeze is already having immediate battlefield consequences, as shipments of weapons in transit and currently stockpiled in Poland have also been halted.

Ukraine‘s military is now facing one of its biggest challenges since the start of the war: fighting without the full backing of the United States.

As the battlefield grows more brutal thanks to tyrant Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian troops must now prepare for a prolonged fight with fewer missiles, less artillery, and increasingly scarce air defence systems.

Every day that passes without new supplies from the US brings fresh risks – not just for Ukraine‘s territorial defense, but for the men on the frontline who now face the daunting task of repelling Russian attacks with dwindling resources.

We now take a look at what exactly will Ukraine be losing as Trump pulled the plug:

MISSILES & ARTILLERY

US-supplied long range missiles and artillery shells have been key in countering Russian advances – but the flow has now stopped.

The pause in US military aid means Ukraine is losing access to critical long-range missiles, artillery, and munitions that have been key to its defence.

Before the freeze, the US had supplied over 200 howitzers and three million artillery shells, as well as 72 smaller-caliber howitzers and an additional one million rounds.

The American-made HIMARS rocket launchers, which have been instrumental in striking Russian supply lines deep behind enemy lines, are now out of reach.

Ukraine also relied heavily on 10,000 Javelin anti-tank missiles, along with 10,000 TOW anti-tank systems and 120,000 other anti-vehicle weapons.

Without US support, Kyiv will need to ration its firepower as its stockpiles dwindle.

AIR DEFENCE SYSTEMS

Air defense systems, crucial for intercepting Russian missile and drone attacks, are also caught in limbo.

The US had previously delivered three Patriot missile batteries, 12 NASAMS air defense systems, and over 3,000 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.

Additionally, the Pentagon had provided Hawk systems and 21 air surveillance radars to help Ukraine detect and neutralise incoming strikes.

But with aid now suspended, Ukraine faces a growing risk of devastating missile barrages on key cities, including Kyiv.

AlamyAmerican-made HIMARS rocket launchers have been crucial in striking Russian supply lines[/caption]

AlamyWashington had also offered 20 Soviet-era helicopters[/caption]

WEAPONS & VEHICLES

Trump’s aid freeze also affects Ukraine’s armoured forces.

The US had sent 31 Abrams tanks, its most advanced battled tanks, along with 45 Soviet-designed T-72B tanks and over 300 Bradley fighting vehicles.

More than 1,300 armoured personnel carriers and 5,000 Humvees had bolstered Ukraine’s mobility on the battlefield, while 300 armoured ambulances ensured wounded soldiers received critical care.

Though Ukraine never received fighter jets from America themselves, former US President Joe Biden authorised allied countries to ship them over.

Washington had also offered 20 Soviet-era Mi-17 helicopters, which are now in short supply.

Beyond weapons and vehicles, other vital military equipment is now on hold.

The US had provided over 100 patrol boats, essential for defending Ukraine’s coastal regions, along with Claymore mines, satellite communication systems, and over 100,000 sets of body armour.

The freeze extends to all undelivered supplies, including those already in transit or stockpiled in Poland, leaving Ukraine scrambling to find alternatives before shortages start taking a toll on the battlefield.

APUkraine’s men will need to ration firepower as stockpiles dwindle[/caption]

AFPUkrainian servicemen of the 43 Artillery Brigade prepare a 2S7 Pion self-propelled cannon, at a front line in the Donetsk region[/caption]

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

The weapons list above was accurate as of January 20 – just before Trump was sworn in.

Since then, the Pentagon has only continued shipping pre-approved munitions, but future deliveries are now in limbo, The Guardian reports.

Trump administration officials insist the aid freeze is only a “pause”, but the impact on Ukraine is already being felt.

Malcolm Chalmers, deputy director-general of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), warned: “This decision is not about economics. It is driven fundamentally by Trump’s view that Russia is willing to do a peace deal, and only Ukraine is the obstacle.

“But there is no evidence that Russia would be prepared to accept a deal, and what that would be. Indeed this decision will encourage Putin to ask for more – including Ukrainian demilitarisation and neutrality.”

He added that while Ukraine will not collapse immediately, the US provides the most lethal and advanced 20% of Ukraine’s military hardware — and losing that could have a devastating long-term effect.

ReutersUkrainian Armed Forces fire an M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzer towards Russian troops in a front line in Donetsk[/caption]

CAN EUROPE FILL THE GAP?

Trump has repeatedly claimed that the US has spent $300–$350 billion on Ukraine aid — far more than Europe.

But fact-checks suggest this is wildly exaggerated.

The Kiel Institute, which tracks global Ukraine aid, says the real US spending is $119.7 billion — far below Trump’s claim.

Even the widest possible estimate of US spending, including training and replenishment of stockpiles, reaches only $182.8 billion.

Meanwhile, Europe has actually provided more aid than the US.

According to the Kiel Institute, from January 2022 to December 2024, Europe spent $138.7 billion on Ukraine—outpacing the US total of $119.7 billion.

The UK remains Ukraine’s third-biggest backer behind the US and Germany, with its latest package being a $2.8 billion (£2.26 billion) loan signed on March 1.

But the big question now is: if the US stops its support entirely, can Europe step up fast enough to keep Ukraine in the fight?

GettyPresident Zelensky at Lancaster House during the European leaders’ summit on March 2[/caption]

EPAThe question now lingers on whether Europe will be able to hold the fort without help from across the pond[/caption]

Former British Army officer Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon told The Sun: “The European NATO countries, militarily, on their own, vastly over matched the Russians.

“And we need to flex that muscle rather than sort of hold back, because in this type of conflict, you’ve got to go all in.”

Dr Bence Nemeth, of the Defence Studies Department at King’s College London, added: “Without the United States as a steadfast ally, Europe faces a turbulent security environment where dangers can originate not only from Russia but also from the missteps of Western policies themselves.

“Yet there is also an upside. When longtime alliances shift, we cannot assume conflict is inevitable.

“Instead, such disruptions can create space for dialogue and new partnerships.

“It is a complex challenge but also an opportunity to reshape the rules of engagement for the 21st century in ways that might ultimately serve all parties better.” 

For now, Ukraine’s troops remain on the battlefield, but their future arsenal is uncertain.

The European offer of “boots on the ground” after a potential peace deal has reassured Kyiv, but Trump’s pressure campaign is forcing Ukraine into a dangerous corner.

Will Europe rally to keep Ukraine armed? Will Zelensky be forced into negotiations with Russia? Or will Ukraine find itself increasingly isolated?

With Trump holding the keys to Ukraine’s most powerful weapons, the next steps could determine the fate of the war.

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