Mike Stone

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The Pentagon has appointed a team of experts to address the increased demand for weapons and transfer requests among U.S. allies. This is happening as Ukraine struggles to get arms after Russia invaded. Three people with knowledge of this effort confirmed it.

According to sources, Pentagon’s Office of Acquisition and Sustainment is the weapon buyer for the U.S. Department of Defense. It has seen an increase in demand from European allies looking to either ship weapons to Ukraine via third-party transfers or buy weapons to strengthen their defenses.

According to sources, the team’s rapid response unit was revived recently in order to cut through bureaucracy regarding sales and transfers and prioritize requests from allies.

This previously unknown effort is part of the Pentagon’s response to an ever-changing landscape in arms transfers and deals. The Pentagon used the Rapid Response Team during Trump’s administration but did not respond immediately to our request for comment.

Operation is co-ordinated with U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency. This agency oversees arms sales to and transfers to foreign countries for Department of Defense.

According to Reuters’ email, DSCA had recently asked for the supply of devices to destroy or shoot down unmanned drones. The items could have been in stock at any time or be available for shipment in less than 120 days.

The USG (U.S. Government) is continuing its efforts to find effective solutions that would help Ukraine during the current crisis. C-sUAS is one of our main areas,” the message stated. The technology to counter small unmanned aerial system (C-sUAS), is being used for defeating drones.

You can find counter-drone products in many sizes and price points. There is the Dronekiller portable radar gun made by IXI Electronic Warfare as well as the Dronebuster form Radio Hill Technologies. These devices are available in several formats and cost thousands. SRC Inc. also makes larger versions. One of these could protect an entire stadium. According to industry experts, larger systems could cost between $3 million-$6 million.

Some allies try to exploit the Ukraine situation to “press them for things even before conflict,” an American official claimed under anonymity. The source added that because of the pandemic supply chains were still stressed, there is uncertainty as to how they could meet this immediate demand.

Europe, and other countries around the globe are expanding their defense budgets to cope with an ever-changing security outlook. Germany leads the pack promising a dramatic increase in spending.