Pentagon Chief Announces $500 Million in Military Aid to Ukraine at Ramstein
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has announced a new U.S. assistance package for Ukraine worth $500 million and revealed that the leaders of the Ramstein group have agreed on plans to support Ukraine through 2027, reports Voice of America.
Austin made the announcement while opening the meeting of the International Contact Group on Defense Support for Ukraine, held at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany on January 9.
"We must not falter. That is why today I am announcing another package of assistance under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) totaling $500 million," said the U.S. Secretary of Defense.
Austin further stated that coalition leaders reached an agreement on Thursday before the Ramstein meeting regarding long-term support for Ukraine until 2027. This support will address Ukraine's urgent battlefield needs and help it build the capability to deter greater Russian aggression in the long term.
"They can continue to assist Ukraine in building a force capable of deterring greater Russian aggression over the long term while Ukraine implements its critical reforms in mobilization and other areas," Austin added.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon's website provided details about the $500 million military aid package for Ukraine announced by Austin. This is the 74th tranche of military equipment provided by the Biden administration from U.S. Department of Defense stockpiles since August 2021.
The package includes:
- AIM-7, RIM-7, and AIM-9M missiles for air defense;
- Air-to-ground missiles;
- Support equipment for F-16 fighter jets;
- Armored bridge-laying vehicles;
- Secure communications equipment;
- Small arms and ammunition;
- Spare parts, support equipment, training services, and transportation.