It is 14 o’clock in Kyiv. Here’s what you need to know

In this February 13 file, Ukrainian soldiers launch a Javelin missile provided by the US military during an exercise in Ukraine. (EyePress / Shutterstock News)

The United States has sent so many of its Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine that its stockpile is depleted for possible use on its own, according to a study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Replenishing US stockpiles with new weapons will take years, according to a report by Mark Kansian, a senior adviser to the International Security Program at CSIS.

What is Javelin? This is an anti-armor missile fired from the shoulder, manufactured by US defense giants Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. The missile is the so-called “shoot and forget” weapon, which means that it targets its target after launch, allowing its operator to hide and avoid backfire.

Use in Ukraine: Ukrainian forces used it to wreak havoc on Russian tanks, denying what was considered a huge Russian advantage before the war.

It could also be very useful for US forces in any unforeseen conflict, but Kansian said the Pentagon must monitor the decline in its stockpile.

“Military planners are probably getting nervous,” he wrote. “The United States maintains reserves for various possible global conflicts that may arise against North Korea, Iran or Russia itself. At some point, these stocks will become low enough for military planners to wonder if military plans can be carried out. The United States is probably approaching that point. “

Kansian estimates that there could be 20,000 to 25,000 Javelins in stock, and 7,000 systems sent to Ukraine “represent about a third of the total US inventory.”

“It will take about three or four years to replace the missiles delivered so far. “If the United States supplies more missiles to Ukraine, this time for a replacement,” Kanchian said.

Background: A senior U.S. defense official said Wednesday that mass arms shipments to Ukraine, including thousands of Javelin anti-aircraft missiles and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, have not affected U.S. forces’ readiness.