The US Department of Defense (DoD) has announced additional security assistance exceeding $1bn to enhance Ukraine’s defence capabilities.
The package is the 18th presidential drawdown of equipment from DoD stocks for Ukraine since August 2021.
This will allow Ukraine to acquire more ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), 75,000 rounds of 155mm artillery ammunition, 20 120mm mortar systems and 20,000 rounds of 120mm mortar ammunition.
Munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), 1,000 Javelin and hundreds of AT4 anti-armour systems, C-4 explosives, and medical supplies are also included in the aid package.
US DoD Defense Policy undersecretary Colin Kahl said: “This is the largest single drawdown of US arms and equipment utilising this authority to date.
“These are all critical capabilities to help the Ukrainians repel the Russian offensive in the east, and also to address evolving developments in the south and elsewhere.”
Further, Kahl said Ukrainians have been successfully using the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) sent by the DoD.
He added: “These are GPS-guided munitions. They’ve been very effective in hitting things that previously the Ukrainians had difficulty hitting reliably.”
Since the onset of the Russian invasion, the US has committed more than $9.1bn in security aid to Ukraine through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and presidential drawdown.
Separately, Finland has come forward to train Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel in support of a UK-led programme.
The country will send nearly 20 service personnel to the UK.
Through the programme, the UK seeks to train over 10,000 Ukrainian volunteers in basic soldier training.
