Press Release: Evaluation of Sustainment Strategies for the Patriot Air Defense Systems Transferred to the Ukrainian Armed Forces (DODIG-2024-056) and Evaluation of the DoD's[...]

Inspector General Robert P. Storch announced today that the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General released two reports on the sustainment of equipment provided to Ukraine: the "Evaluation of the DoD's Sustainment Plan for Bradley, Stryker, and Abrams Armored Weapon Systems Transferred to the Ukrainian Armed Forces " and the "Evaluation of Sustainment Strategies for the PATRIOT Air Defense Systems Transferred to the Ukrainian Armed Forces."

These two evaluations found that the DoD had not developed or implemented a plan to sustain the Bradleys, Strykers, and Abrams armored vehicles or the Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target (PATRIOT) air defense systems provided to the Ukrainian Armed Forces between January and September 2023. These reports concluded that without deliberate and planned sustainment support, including proper spare parts, ammunition, and maintenance support, the Ukrainians would not be capable of maintaining these weapon systems in their ongoing fight against Russia's full-scale invasion. These two evaluations add to the DoD OIG's growing body of work, providing oversight of the DoD's support to Ukraine.

"The DoD provided Ukraine with armored vehicles and air defense systems without a plan to ensure their long-term usefulness," said IG Storch. "While the DoD is currently working on developing such a plan, the lack of foresight in this matter is concerning, and should be rectified promptly."

While conducting these evaluations, the DoD OIG also found that the DoD has provided limited spare parts, ammunition, and maintenance support following the transfer of these weapon systems to Ukraine and did not coordinate or tailor those efforts into a comprehensive sustainment plan. The absence of such planning puts at risk Ukraine's ability to fight effectively using the U.S.-provided equipment, as well as the DoD's readiness to address other national security threats if needed.

"If the DoD does not identify the sustainment requirements for the weapon systems it provides to Ukraine, then it cannot accurately predict sustainment costs or assess the long-term readiness impacts to U.S. military units that also operate these systems," said IG Storch. "If implemented, the recommendations in these reports will enhance the DoD's readiness and its capability to provide more effective support to the Ukrainian Armed Forces."

To address the issues identified in these reports, the DoD OIG issued multiple recommendations addressing the need for the DoD to develop and implement a sustainment plan for each of the weapon systems. The DoD OIG will continue to monitor the DoD's progress toward full implementation of these recommendations.