US announces $1.2 billion in fresh Ukraine military aid as Kiev counteroffensive looming
The United States has announced a $1.2 billion new military aid package for Ukraine as Kiev is preparing for a major counteroffensive against Russian forces.
The package, announced on Tuesday, is aimed at boosting Ukraine's air defenses and sustaining its artillery ammunition needs in its war with Russia, which launched a full-scale military operation on February 24 last year against the ex-Soviet republic.
"Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced a new security assistance package to reaffirm the steadfast US support for Ukraine, including bolstering its air defenses and sustaining its artillery ammunition needs. This package, which totals up to USD 1.2 billion, is being provided under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI)," the Defense Department said in a statement.
The aid package includes 155mm artillery rounds, additional air defense systems and munitions, and drone ammunition, as well as equipment to help “integrate Western air defense launchers, missiles, and radars” with Ukraine’s existing systems.
Falling under the USAI means that components of the package will be contracted and purchased from manufacturers instead of pulled directly from Defense Department stocks in a drawdown.
USAI packages are aimed at creating a medium- and long-term supply for Ukraine.
With the announced package, Washington has committed $37.6 billion in military assistance to Kiev since the beginning of the administration of US President Joe Biden, including $36.9 billion since the onset of the ongoing war.
Two weeks ago, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that 98 percent of the combat vehicles promised to Ukraine have been delivered, a total of over 1,500 vehicles and 230 tanks.
Since the onset of the war, the US and the European Union have supplied Ukraine with tens of billions of dollars worth of weapons, including rocket systems, drones, armored vehicles, tanks, and communication systems despite Russia's repeated warnings that the Western military assistance will only prolong the war.
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