The new aid package from the US will include weapons for army aviation

3 May, 2023 The launch of a Hydra 70 unguided rocket from an Apache AH-64 attack helicopter The USA is preparing to announce a new assistance package to Ukraine. Among other things, it will contain short-range air-launched rockets.

Reuters reported this with reference to two officials. The value of the new aid package is £300 million. This regards Hydra 70 unguided rockets - a 70-mm air-launched unguided rocket used to destroy the equipment and manpower of the enemy.

Loading Hydra 70. Photo credits: U.S. Army

The effective range of the Hydra 70 is between 500 to 8,000 meters, depending on the warhead and launch platform, and the maximum range under optimal conditions is 10,500 meters.

It is emphasized that rockets can help Ukrainian forces to provide support to ground forces during probable offensive operations. The assistance package also includes 155-mm Howitzer cannons, HIMARS and Howitzer cannon ammunition, TOW anti-tank missiles, and mortars.

Ammunition for Ukrainian HIMARS, August 24, 2022, USA

Demolition equipment and trucks are another part of the package. The final list will be released after the announcement.

Equipment and ammunition will come from U.S. Army stocks. The assistance package would be funded using Presidential Drawdown Authority, or PDA, which authorizes the president to transfer articles and services from U.S. stocks without congressional approval.

It is emphasized that this security assistance package would be the 37th approved by the United States for Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022, with a total of nearly £36 billion. Recently, the Ukrainian military demonstrated Zuni unguided air-to-surface rockets launched from Su-25 attack aircraft. These air-to-surface rockets are designed to hit ground targets, fortifications, other objects, and columns of enemy equipment on the march.

Su-25 attack aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Forces with Zuni rockets.

Photo credits: Mykola Oleschuk

In January, the United States included 4,000 Zuni air-to-surface rockets in one of its military aid packages for Ukraine.