U.S. Announces New Security Assistance to Ukraine Worth $250 Million
The U.S. Department of Defence announced on Wednesday, December 27, the provision of a military aid package to Ukraine, addressing critical security and defence needs, valued at $250 million. This information is stated on the Pentagon's website.
This announcement marks the fifty-fourth tranche of equipment from the Biden Administration, to be provided to Ukraine from the U.S. Department of Defence stocks since August 2021.
The package includes additional air defence assets, artillery ammunition, anti-tank weapons, and other equipment to assist Ukraine in resisting Russia's aggression in the war.
This assistance utilizes funds that were previously authorized for Ukraine in prior fiscal years under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), as stated in the announcement.
This vital aid package, valued at up to $250 million USD, includes:
Additional ammunition for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS);
Stinger surface-to-air missiles;
Components for the air defence system;
Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
155mm and 105mm calibre artillery shells;
Tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided (TOW) missiles;
Javelin and AT-4 anti-tank systems;
Over 15 million rounds of small arms ammunition;
Demolition charges for obstacle clearance;
Spare parts, medical equipment, technical support, and other auxiliary equipment.
These resources support Ukraine's most urgent needs, enabling its forces to defend sovereignty and independence.
The United States leads the support of coalition efforts, with nearly 50 allies and partners currently backing Ukraine.
Security assistance to Ukraine is a prudent investment in our national security. It deters potential aggression in other parts of the world while strengthening our defence-industrial base and creating highly skilled jobs for the American people, as noted in the Pentagon's statement.
Previously, the White House emphasized having funds for only one military aid package to Ukraine, after which funding will be depleted, necessitating further congressional decisions.
In October, President Biden appealed to Congress to approve additional funding for Ukraine, but the Senate did not reach a decision due to party disagreements on U.S.-Mexico border security issues.