The US Department of Defense has announced a $125 million aid package for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, reaffirming its commitment to providing weapons to enable Ukraine to more effectively defend itself against Russian aggression.
The latest aid package follows $250 million in funds the US cleared for Ukraine in June 2020.
The $125 million bill will include training, equipment, and advisory efforts to help Ukraine’s forces preserve the country’s territorial integrity, secure its borders, and improve interoperability with NATO.
It includes two additional armed Mark VI patrol boats to enhance Ukraine’s capacity to patrol and defend its territorial waters. To date, the US has committed a total of eight Mark IV patrol boats and has already US shipbuilder SAFE Boats a $19.97 million contract to build the first two boats.
The package also includes capabilities to enhance the lethality, command and control, and situational awareness of Ukraine’s forces through the provision of additional counter-artillery radars and tactical equipment.
Also included is support for a satellite imagery and analysis capability, and equipment to support military medical treatment and combat evacuation procedures.
“The remaining $150 million in fiscal year 2021 USAI funds appropriated by Congress will be provided when the Defense Department, in coordination with the Department of State, certifies that Ukraine has made sufficient progress on key defense reforms this year, as required by the National Defense Authorization Act,” the Pentagon said in a statement.
The United States has committed more than $2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since 2014 as it continues work with the country on its implementation of reforms to advance its Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
