United States announces an additional military aid package

The U.S. Department of Defense has announced a new security assistance package to support Ukraine's battlefield needs and demonstrate the country's unwavering support for Ukraine. This is announced in a statement released on the website of the U.S.

Department of Defense. This package provided through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) includes equipment to augment Ukraine's air defenses, artillery munitions, and other capabilities. "This USAI package highlights the continued U.S. commitment to meeting Ukraine's pressing requirements by committing critical near-term capabilities, while also building the enduring capacity of Ukraine's Armed Forces to defend its territory and deter Russian aggression over the mid and long term," the statement reads.

Unlike Presidential Drawdown, USAI is an authority under which the United States procures capabilities from industry rather than delivering equipment that is drawn down from DoD stocks.

Illustrative photo of American-made 155mm shells in Ukraine. Photo credits: images.wsj.net.

Totalling up to £600 million, the capabilities in this announcement include, as follows:

  • Equipment to sustain and integrate Ukraine's air defense systems;
  • Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
  • 105mm artillery rounds;
  • Electronic warfare and counter-electronic warfare equipment;
  • Demolition munitions for obstacle clearing;
  • Mine clearing equipment; and
  • Support and equipment for training, maintenance, and sustainment activities.

"The United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield needs and longer-term security assistance requirements," the Pentagon emphasized. As Militarnyi reported, the United States is preparing a new batch of cluster munitions for Ukraine.

In addition to artillery shells, the United States is considering the possible transfer of M26 cluster munitions, capable of being used with MLRS and HIMARS rocket systems. In addition, the new aid package included 120-mm depleted uranium rounds for Abrams tanks.

M829A4 APFSDS-T tank projectile. Photo credits: U.S.

Department of Defense

During his visit to Kyiv, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the United States would provide more than one billion dollars to Ukraine.

The funds will be used for military assistance, law enforcement assistance, rehabilitation of the veterans, humanitarian aid and other Ukrainian needs.

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