Washington, DC – The Biden administration authorized an addition $800 million in weapons, ammunition and security assistance to Ukraine today (April 13).
“The Ukrainian military has used the weapons we are providing to devastating effect. As Russia prepares to intensify its attack in the Donbas region, the United States will continue to provide Ukraine with the capabilities to defend itself,” said President Biden in a statement.
This new package of assistance includes many of the highly effective weapons systems already provided by the US and new capabilities tailored to the wider assault Russia is expected to launch in eastern Ukraine.
This security package includes:
- 18 155mm Howitzers and 40,000 artillery rounds;
- Ten AN/TPQ-36 counter-artillery radars;
- Two AN/MPQ-64 sentinel air surveillance radars;
- 300 Switchblade Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems;
- 500 Javelin missiles and thousands of other anti-armor systems;
- 200 M113 Armored Personnel Carriers;
- 100 Armored High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles;
- 11 Mi-17 helicopters;
- Unmanned Coastal Defense Vessels;
- Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear protective equipment;
- Medical equipment;
- 30,000 sets of body armor and helmets;
- Over 2,000 optics and laser rangefinders;
- C-4 explosives and demolition equipment for obstacle clearing; and
- M18A1 Claymore anti-personnel munitions configured to be consistent with the Ottawa Treaty.
Briefing reporters at the Pentagon, John Kirby said this is the seventh drawdown of equipment from the Department of Defense inventories for Ukraine since August 2021 in response to urgent Ukrainian needs. The 11 Mi-17s which were earmarked for Afghanistan are now being transferred to Ukraine. The US had provided five M1-17s earlier this year. This is the first time the US has provided Howitzers. Ukraine specifically asked for fire support and artillery support.
Kirby noted that some items will require additional training for Ukrainian troops, but “we can put that together very quickly.” Specifically, training would be required for the Howitzers, TPQ artillery radar, MPQ-64 air defense radar system, optics, laser range fighters, and perhaps basic training on the Claymores. The US will pull a small number of troops out for training, and they can then train their colleagues, said Kirby.
Everything that the US has sent has been from conversations with the Ukrainians. They have asked for other capabilities that the US does not have, and the US is working with allies and partners to fulfill the requirements that we cannot meet. Secretary Austin has committed to moving this shipment as soon as possible, said Kirby.
President Biden said that the steady supply of weapons the United States and its Allies and partners have provided to Ukraine has been critical in sustaining its fight against the Russian invasion. “It has helped ensure that Putin failed in his initial war aims to conquer and control Ukraine. We cannot rest now. As I assured President Zelenskyy, the American people will continue to stand with the brave Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom.”
Poonam Sharma
Poonam is a multi-media journalist, and Founder of Global Strat View. She managed India America Today (IAT) for seven years, and launched its print edition in 2019 with IAT's Founder and Editor, the late Tejinder Singh.
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