The security package consists of Patriot missiles, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), and 155mm artillery rounds, among other items.
The Biden administration has announced $6 billion in new security assistance for Ukraine to help the country defend itself against Russia’s invasion.
Most of the security aid sent by the United States to Ukraine has been through presidential drawdown authorities, where the president allows a certain dollar amount of weapons to be transferred directly from U.S. stockpiles to Ukraine.
However, the new package operates under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), funded by this week’s supplemental, and coordinated by the 50-nation Ukraine Defense Contact Group.
USAI is an authority through which the U.S. will acquire military capabilities from American industry or partners. Consequently, the Pentagon’s announcement also signifies the start of a new contracting process to obtain more weapons from Ukraine.
“This USAI package underscores the strong and unwavering U.S. commitment to fulfill Ukraine’s urgent immediate and long-term capability requirements to combat Russian aggression, as part of the global coalition we have formed with approximately 50 Allies and partners,” stated the Pentagon.
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The $6 billion package includes Patriot missiles, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), counter-drone equipment, radar technology, 155mm artillery rounds, small arms ammunition, tactical vehicles, and other valuable systems.
Previous U.S. assistance has included the delivery of more than 3 million 155mm artillery rounds, 31 Abrams battle tanks, over a thousand armored and light tactical vehicles, dozens of boats, and 10,000 Javelin anti-armor systems, among other items.
Officials in the Department have also recognized that continued deliveries of essential systems to Ukraine have had some negative effects on the readiness of the U.S. military.
“We can transfer funds from our stocks, but without the ability to replenish them, we are jeopardizing our own readiness,” stated an official during a press call in March.
Despite the stalemate, neither Kyiv nor Moscow has shown a genuine willingness to engage in sincere negotiations to end the war.
The extent to which Ukraine can utilize the new weapons deliveries and whether they will lead to breakthroughs on the front lines or simply prevent further Russian advances remains unclear. Kyiv has faced numerous shortages of equipment and manpower over the winter, as well as challenges stemming from Russian attacks on food and energy infrastructure.
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