The Biden Administration has unveiled its thirty-ninth drawdown of equipment for Ukraine, valued at up to $300 million to aid in their defense against Russia.
The new security assistance includes artillery, anti-armor capabilities, and ammunition, including tens of millions of rounds of small-arms ammunition.
Also, among the items included are additional munitions for Patriot air defense systems, AIM-7 missiles for air defense, Avenger air defense systems, Stinger anti-aircraft systems, and additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).
This is the first official confirmation of the transfer of AIM-7 Sparrow (Air Intercept Missile) to Ukraine. While the AIM-7 is originally a semi-active radar homing air-to-air missile, it will be employed by Ukraine’s Buk-M1 surface-to-air missile system, boosting their air defense capabilities. Developed by Raytheon, the first variants of the missile entered US military service in the 1960s.
Furthermore, the package also encompasses 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, 105mm tank ammunition, precision aerial munitions, Zuni aircraft rockets, and munitions for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
Additionally, it provides AT-4 anti-armor systems, over 30 million rounds of small arms ammunition, mine clearing equipment and systems, demolition munitions for obstacle clearing, night vision devices, spare parts, generators, and other field equipment.
After President Biden’s meeting with President Zelensky at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan, in May 2021, the United States carried out its thirty-eighth instance of equipment withdrawal for Ukraine.
In total, the US has committed $38.3 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden Administration, which includes more than $37.6 billion provided since the start of Russia’s invasion on February 24, 2022.
“The United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield needs and longer-term security assistance requirements,” stated DoD.
