US announces new military aid package for Ukraine
The Biden administration has announced a new $2 billion military aid package.
Ukraine will receive additional ammunition, drones, and other equipment, the US Department of Defense said in a statement.
"Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) is announcing a new security assistance package to reaffirm the steadfast support of the United States for Ukraine's brave defenders and strengthen Ukraine's air defenses," the statement reads.
The military assistance package will include several new drone and anti-drone systems the DoD hasn't before provided and equipment to help Ukraine counter russian electronic warfare. The new drone systems include Switchblades, CyberLux K8, Altius-600, and the Jump-20, which can be used for surveillance or adapted to carry bombs.
What's included in the new package:
- Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
- Additional 155mm artillery rounds;
- Munitions for laser-guided rocket systems;
- CyberLux K8 UAS;
- Switchblade 600 UAS;
- Altius-600 UAS;
- Jump 20 UAS;
- Counter-UAS and electronic warfare detection equipment;
- Mine clearing equipment;
- Secure communications support equipment;
- Funding for training, maintenance, and sustainment.
This package, which totals $2 billion, is being provided under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) as part of our commitment to Ukraine's long-term security, the statement mentioned. This program allows the Biden administration to take arms for Ukraine from the industry. Deliveries under this mechanism typically take longer than when weapons are taken from existing US stockpiles.
Earlier, it became known that the US would provide $9.9bn in financial assistance to help fund Ukraine's healthcare, education, and emergency services. Part of the US assistance will be a third delivery of energy equipment to help restore the Ukrainian power grid equipment, which was damaged by repeated russian missile attacks over the course of the year.
