The Biden administration announced on Wednesday a new $1.3 billion weapons package for Ukraine that includes air defense systems, kamikaze drones, missiles, and other equipment.
The package is being provided to Ukraine through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which allows the US to purchase arms for Ukraine. The Pentagon said the announcement represents the beginning of the contract period.
According to the Pentagon, the full package includes:
- Four National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and munitions
- 152mm artillery rounds
- Mine clearing equipment
- Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles
- Phoenix Ghost and Switchblade Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
- Precision aerial munitions
- Counter-UAS and electronic warfare detection equipment
- 150 fuel trucks
- 115 tactical vehicles to tow and haul equipment
- 50 tactical vehicles to recover equipment
- Port and harbor security equipment
- Tactical secure communications systems
- Support for training, maintenance, and sustainment activities
Weapons provided under the USAI could take months or years to be delivered. The primary way the US has been arming Ukraine is through the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows President Biden to send equipment directly from US military stockpiles.
According to State Department numbers, the new package brings the total USAI committed to Ukraine in the 2023 fiscal year to $12.1 billion. In the 2022 fiscal year, the US announced $6.3 billion in USAI for Ukraine.
Funds for Ukraine are still being pulled from the $113 billion that Congress has authorized to spend on the war so far. The White House is expected to ask Congress to approve more within the next few months.
Source: AntiWar.
