The US is preparing a $725 million military aid package for Ukraine

28 November, 2024 Illustrative photo of Ukrainian M142 HIMARS. Photo credits: AFU StratCom U.S.

President Joe Biden's administration is preparing a £725 million weapons package for Ukraine. The package will include, in particular, anti-personnel mines. Reuters reported on this with reference to two U.S. officials.

A variety of weapons will be transferred from the U.S. Army stockpiles under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA). This authority allows the US President to use current stockpiles of weapons to help allies.

The new military aid package for Ukraine is expected to include a variety of anti-tank weapons and anti-personnel mines.

Warning about mined territory. Photo credits: Suspilne

Anti-personnel mines are prohibited by international treaties, but Ukraine insisted on supplying them to slow the advance of Russian invasion forces. After much hesitation, the United States recently agreed to supply the Ukrainian Defense Forces with anti-personnel mines.

The Pentagon believes that providing anti-personnel mines is one of the most effective ways to slow down the Russian offensive. The package will also include drones and Stinger man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) to strengthen Ukraine's air defense capabilities. According to officials, GMLRS rockets for HIMARS rocket systems, including cluster munitions, will also be transferred.

Joe Biden, at the NATO Summit in Madrid, June 29, 2022.

Photo: Reuters

The official announcement of the new aid package may come to Congress as early as Monday, December 2. However, Reuters notes that the content and amount of this military aid may change before Biden's expected signature. The day prior, the current U.S.

President appealed to Congress to provide Ukraine with additional assistance in the amount of £24 billion.