Democrat President Joe Biden’s administration is sending an additional nearly $3 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, bringing the total to $13.5 billion since January 2021.
“I am proud to announce our biggest tranche of security assistance to date: approximately $2.98 billion of weapons and equipment to be provided through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. This will allow Ukraine to acquire air defense systems, artillery systems and munitions, counter-unmanned aerial systems, and radars to ensure it can continue to defend itself over the long term,” Biden said on Wednesday.
The aid “underscores the U.S. commitment to supporting Ukraine over the long term, representing multi-year investments in critical capabilities to build the enduring strength of Ukraine’s armed forces as it continues to defend Ukraine’s sovereignty in the face of Russian aggression,” Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement.
“This announcement represents the beginning of a contracting process to provide additional priority capabilities to Ukraine in the mid- and long-term,” Ryder added.
According to a report from the Department of Defense, “These capabilities include six additional National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and munitions. It also includes up to 245,000 rounds of 155 mm artillery ammunition and up to 65,000 rounds of 120 mm mortar ammunition.”
“The process will also supply up to 24 counter-artillery radars, Puma Unmanned Aerial Systems and support equipment for Scan Eagle unmanned aerial systems,” the report added.
