WASHINGTON: A new $2.6 billion United States military aid package that could include anti-tank rockets, air surveillance radars and fuel trucks for Ukraine’s war against Russia is likely to be announced as early as Monday, three United States officials said.
A half a dozen types of munitions, and also including tank munitions, are expected to be on the equipment list that could be finalised over this weekend, the officials who spoke anonymously said, adding the dollar amount and specific equipment in the package could change.
US massive support
Also slated for inclusion were precision aerial munitions, bridging equipment Ukraine will use to assault Russian positions, recovery vehicles to help disabled massive equipment like tanks, and additional rounds for NASAMS air defences that the United States and allies have given to Kyiv.
The aid comprised 2.1 billion dollars in weapons from Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funding, allowing President Joe Biden’s administration to buy weapons from industry rather than from United States weapons stocks.
The remaining 500 million dollars, mainly comprised of munitions to help Kyiv push the spring offensive against the Russian military, was expected to come from Presidential Drawdown Authority funds, which allow the president to take from current United States stocks in an emergency.
Since the invasion, the United States has pledged over $30 billion worth of security assistance to Ukraine.