The Biden administration has announced approximately $3 billion in security assistance for Ukraine. It is Washington’s largest single military package since Russia’s invasion began six months ago.
The announcement comes as Ukraine celebrates 31 years of its independence from the Soviet Union.
U.S. President Joe Biden congratulated the people of Ukraine on their Independence Day and said: “The United States of America is committed to supporting the people of Ukraine as they continue the fight to defend their sovereignty.”
Biden said in a statement that approximately $2.98 billion “will allow Ukraine to acquire air defense systems, artillery systems and munitions, counter-unmanned aerial systems and radars to ensure it can continue to defend itself.”
The latest package is authorized through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) which uses funds appropriated by Congress.
The aid “underscores the U.S. commitment to supporting Ukraine over the long term, representing multi-year investments in critical capabilities to build the enduring strength of Ukraine’s armed forces as it continues to defend Ukraine’s sovereignty in the face of Russian aggression,” Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a written statement.
The package consists of six additional National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, or NASAMS, as well as munitions for those systems, 24 counter-artillery radars, 245,000 rounds of 155 mm artillery ammunition, 65,000 rounds of 120 mm mortar ammunition, laser-guided rocket systems, support equipment for the Scan Eagle drone as well as Puma drones.
The aid package will provide VAMPIRE Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems to the Ukrainians as Russia is using unmanned aerial systems. The aid will also provide laser-guided rocket systems.
For the first time, the package will also include British Vampire drone systems, which can be launched off ships. “The Vampire system itself is a counter-UAS system, ” said Colin Kahl, undersecretary of defense for policy, said at a press briefing. “It is a kinetic system that uses small missiles essentially to shoot UAVs out of the sky.”
The U.S. has committed more than $13.5 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden administration, including approximately $12.9 billion since the beginning of Russia’s invasion on February 24.
