US sends additional $275m in military aid to Ukraine

The US is set to send an additional $275m in military aid to Ukraine.

Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, authorised the 24th drawdown of military aid to Ukraine since August last year.

He said the package would include "additional arms, munitions, and equipment from US Department of Defense inventories". 

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"This drawdown will bring the total US military assistance for Ukraine to an unprecedented level of more than $18.5bn since the beginning of the administration," he said.

"The United States will continue to stand with more than 50 allies and partners in support of the people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom and independence with extraordinary courage and boundless determination."

Watch: What is the NASAMS weapon system?

Mr Blinken said the US was also working to supply air defence capability Ukraine needs, with two Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) set to be delivered next month.

NASAMS is designed to provide medium to long-range air defence against aircraft, cruise missiles or drones.

They can fire short-range AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles as well as medium-range Aim-120 – identical to the missiles used on fighter aircraft.

"The capabilities we are delivering are carefully calibrated to make the most difference on the battlefield for Ukraine today," he said.

Secretary Blinken also said the US was working with allies and partners to provide more air defence systems to Ukraine.

It comes as the Ukraine forces in the south of the country used the first of four German IRIS-T air defence systems.

Germany provided four of the weapon systems, capable of stopping Russian cruise missiles from destroying Ukrainian cities, providing medium-range, high-altitude cover.