Additional equipment, drones and missiles: US announces new $988 million aid package for Ukraine (updated)
The United States has announced a new $988 million military aid package for Ukraine. It includes additional equipment, drones, and missiles.
According to Censor.NET, citing Suspilne, this is stated in a document seen by Reuters.
According to the newspaper, the new aid halves the existing $2.21 billion remaining under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) as outgoing Democrats seek to commit to buying weapons from industry rather than from US stockpiles.
Reuters reports that the USAI funds will be used to purchase ammunition for HIMARS systems and drones.
The announcement of the package was expected on Saturday when the defence industry and policymakers met at the annual Reagan National Defence Forum in California.
The Biden administration has frequently used the Presidential Decision to Reduce, which allows President Joe Biden to transfer surplus goods and services from US stockpiles without congressional approval during an emergency.
USAI funds are separate and will be used to purchase new weapons from industry. The Biden administration still has about $6 billion in presidential cancellation authority granted by Congress.
Updated information
The US Department of Defence has announced a new defense aid package for Ukraine.
The package included:
- ammunition for HIMARS rocket and artillery systems;
- unmanned aerial systems;
- Equipment, components, and spare parts for maintenance, repair, and overhaul of artillery systems, tanks, and armored vehicles.
"The security assistance package includes an additional $988 million through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). The package will provide Ukraine with ammunition for missile systems and unmanned aerial systems," the statement said.
It is noted that this is the 22nd USAI package from the administration of current US President Joe Biden.
Assistance from the United States
As a reminder, the United States has provided nearly $62 billion in military aid to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion.
The administration of the current US President Joe Biden is working to use all remaining funds to support Ukraine before the end of his term on 20 January.
On 2 December, the United States announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth $725 million.
