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US defence contractors have been tapped to deliver advanced surface-to-air missile systems, drones, and artillery to Ukraine as part of a new multi-billion-dollar commitment.
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The US Department of Defense (DoD) has announced a further US$3 billion (AU$4.3 billion) in security assistance for Ukraine via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).
This involves commissioning the US defence industry to develop and deliver a broad set of advanced military equipment, which includes:
- six additional National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) with additional munitions for NASAMS;
- up to 245,000 rounds of 155mm artillery ammunition;
- up to 65,000 rounds of 120mm mortar ammunition;
- Up to 24 counter-artillery radars;
- Puma Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and support equipment for Scan Eagle UAS systems;
- VAMPIRE Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems; and
- laser-guided rocket systems.
The USAI package also includes funding for training, maintenance, and sustainment of the military equipment.
According to Pentagon press secretary Air Force Brigadier General Pat Ryder, this latest commitment “underscores the US commitment to supporting Ukraine over the long term” in the fight against Russian aggression.
“This announcement represents the beginning of a contracting process to provide additional priority capabilities to Ukraine in the mid- and long-term to ensure Ukraine can continue to defend itself as an independent, sovereign and prosperous state,” Brigadier General Ryder said.
This latest commitment of military aid to Ukraine represents the largest tranche of equipment since Russia launched its invasion.
It follows the recent authorisation of a US$775 million (AU$1.2 billion) presidential drawdown of security assistance, which includes:
- additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
- 16 105mm Howitzers and 36,000 105mm artillery rounds;
- 15 Scan Eagle Unmanned Aerial Systems;
- 40 MaxxPro Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles with mine rollers;
- additional high-speed anti-radiation missiles;
- 50 armoured high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWV);
- 1,500 tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided (TOW) missiles;
- 1,000 Javelin anti-armour systems;
- 2,000 anti-armour rounds;
- mine-clearing equipment and systems;
- demolition munitions;
- tactical secure communications systems; and
- night vision devices, thermal imagery systems, optics, and laser rangefinders.
In total, the United States has committed more than US$13.5 billion (AU$19.5 billion) in security assistance to Ukraine since January 2021, and more than US$15.5 billion (AU$22.3 billion) since 2014.
“Through both PDA and USAI, DoD continues to work with Ukraine to meet both its immediate and longer-term security assistance needs,” Brigadier General Ryder added.
“Together with our allies and partners, our unified efforts will help Ukraine continue to be successful today and build the enduring strength of their forces to ensure the continued freedom and independence of the Ukrainian people for years to come.”
[Related: Pentagon rubberstamps billion-dollar arms package for Ukraine ]
