The United States is set to announce over $2.3 billion in military aid for Ukraine, according to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. This new package will include air defense interceptors and other important munitions from US stockpiles.
Austin explained that the aid, provided under presidential drawdown authority, will include air defense interceptors, anti-tank weapons, and other essential munitions. Additionally, the US will expedite the delivery of Patriot and NASAMs air defense interceptors by reordering some foreign military sales.
It’s still unclear how much of the $2.3 billion will come from the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), which draws from existing US equipment, and how much will come from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which allows the US to buy equipment from its defense industry.
The US has been regularly announcing aid packages for Ukraine since Congress approved nearly $61 billion in assistance earlier this year. Recently, the US prioritized Ukraine for receiving air defense capabilities, even ahead of other countries that were already in line.
A White House official explained that many countries understood the urgency of this decision, noting, “If any of our partners were in an existential situation like Ukraine, we would do everything to help them. Right now, that country is Ukraine.”
This announcement follows a long-term bilateral security pact between the US and Ukraine, committing the US to 10 years of training Ukraine’s armed forces, providing military assistance, and increasing intelligence sharing. This comes just a week before the NATO summit in Washington, DC.
Austin also mentioned plans to help Ukraine move towards NATO membership. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov expressed gratitude for the support, stating that it has helped Ukraine resist Russian aggression. He also looked forward to discussing Ukraine’s potential future in NATO, hoping for an invitation soon.
FACEBOOK COMMENTS