The US President Joe Biden’s administration has announced a new military aid package worth $325 million to Ukraine. The package includes the latest missiles, anti-tank mines, and additional ammunition for HIMARS missile systems. These weapons are intended to help the Ukrainian military counter Russian aggression.
This is the 36th package of defence assistance to Ukraine provided by the United States since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine in February 2022. During this time, the total amount of US military assistance has amounted to over $35.4 billion.
According to a statement by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, the new security assistance package includes more ammunition for previously provided HIMARS systems, precision-guided aerial munitions and 106mm and 155mm artillery rounds, as well as anti-tank systems, TOW guided missiles, small arms and more than 9 million rounds of ammunition. These weapons are necessary to strengthen Ukraine’s defenders on the battlefield.
HIMARS is a truck-mounted missile launcher that can fire multiple guided missiles in rapid succession. The missiles that the US is providing to Ukraine have a range of up to 80 km, and the Ukrainian military has successfully used them to target Russian positions and depots with equipment and ammunition.
“Russia can end its war today. Until it does, the United States, our allies and partners will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes,” added Anthony Blinken.
In addition to the above, the aid package also includes AT-4 anti-tank weapon systems, vehicle maintenance and diagnostic equipment, and 4 logistics vehicles, spare parts and various field equipment, as well as port and harbour security equipment.
This package will be funded under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), a presidential arms decommissioning programme that allows the president to quickly transfer necessary military assistance from US stockpiles without congressional approval during emergencies.
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