The Pentagon has announced the authorization of a new presidential drawdown that will see $400 million worth of military equipment transferred to Ukraine.
The presidential drawdown, which draws on US military stocks to quickly supply Ukraine with what it needs to defend against the Russian invasion, features more ammunition and support equipment for Ukraine’s precision fires, artillery, and armored vehicle operations.
This authorization is the Biden administration’s thirty-third drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.
In this package, the United States will provide additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, additional 105 mm and 155 mm artillery rounds, and additional 25 mm ammunition.
The package also includes M60 armored vehicle-launched bridges (AVLB). These vehicles are designed to accompany armored columns and give them the ability to cross rivers, streams, ditches and trenches. The bridges are carried on the chassis of armored vehicles and launched at river or stream banks. Once the crossing is finished, the vehicle can pick up the bridge on the far bank and carry on.
The M60 AVLB is based on the M60 Patton main battle tank hull and is used for the launching and retrieval of a 60-foot, scissor-type bridge.
The package will also include demolition munitions and equipment for obstacle clearing. To help the Ukrainians sustain their forces in combat, the package also includes testing and diagnostic equipment to support vehicle maintenance and repair, as well as spare parts and other field equipment.
The Pentagon noted that it is not alone in helping Ukraine’s defense against the invasion, with more than 54 countries from around the world having pledged more than 1,000 tanks and other armored vehicles. According to estimates, the allies have delivered or pledged more than 800 artillery systems, and they’ve delivered more than 2 million rounds of artillery ammunition and more than 50 advanced Multiple Rocket Launch Systems.
