US providing Ukraine with new defence package worth $150m
The United States will provide additional security assistance to "meet Ukraine's critical security and defence needs", the Department of Defense (DOD) has announced.
Included in this latest package will be additional air defence equipment, artillery rounds and anti-tank weapons.
This announcement is President Joe Biden's administration's 49th tranche of equipment to be provided from DOD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.
The DOD said: "This security assistance package is another visible signal of the United States' continued commitment to supporting the Ukrainian people in the face of Russian aggression.
"The United States remains committed to working with allies and partners to provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield needs.
"The Biden administration calls on Congress to meet its commitment to the people of Ukraine by passing additional funding to ensure Ukraine continues to have what it needs to defend itself against Russia's brutal war of choice."
The DOD statement added: "Security assistance for Ukraine is a smart investment in our national security.
"It helps to prevent a larger conflict in the region and deter potential aggression elsewhere while strengthening our defence industrial base and creating highly skilled jobs for the American people."
The package, valued at up to $150m, includes:
- Additional munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS)
- AIM-9M missiles for air defence
- Stinger anti-aircraft missiles
- Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS)
- 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds
- Tube-launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles
- Javelin anti-armour systems
- More than two million rounds of small arms ammunition
- Night vision devices
- Demolition munitions for clearing obstacles
- Cold weather gear
- Spare parts, maintenance and other ancillary equipment
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the US for the additional aid in his latest nightly address.
Mr Zelensky posted on X, formerly Twitter: "Our enemy is not an easy one, and it won't be easier.
"But Ukraine must – and will – become stronger so that the Russian empire never returns to our land.
"Today I thank the US and Denmark for their aid. Freedom's enemies must not think that its defence cannot endure a marathon."
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