Pentagon rolls out another $200 million Ukraine aid package
The Pentagon unveiled another batch of military aid to Ukraine Wednesday, featuring up to $200 million worth of support.
As part of the package, the 48th tranche of materiel sent to Eastern Europe, the Biden administration is planning to ship 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), AIM-9M missiles for air defense, and counter-unmanned drone systems.
“This security assistance package is an important signal of United States’ continued commitment to supporting the Ukrainian people in the face of Russian aggression,” the Defense Department said in a statement.
Officials will ship the aid via the presidential drawdown authority, meaning it will come from current US stockpiles, and can therefore be sent quickly.
The alternative method for sending aid is by contracting a defense company to manufacture it through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).
Biden administration officials have implored Congress to replenish funding to assist the war-torn nation as soon as possible.
At the start of October, the US had $5.4 billion in drawdown authority and about $1.6 billion in authorized funds that the Pentagon planned to use to bolster its own stockpiles, military officials said.
Congress has been gripped by paralysis after eight House Republicans and a united bloc of Democrats toppled Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) Oct 3.
So far, Congress has approved roughly $113 billion in both military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, though not all of that has been delivered. Over $70 billion was allotted for security assistance.
The Biden administration asked Congress for an additional $24 billion in aid back in August.
“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 defense industrial base and creating highly skilled jobs for the American people,” the Pentagon added.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin huddled with his counterparts from about 50 nations Wednesday in a Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting. The US-led organization works to coordinate weapons deliveries for Kyiv.
Austin was joined by the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown.
“I think after hearing this morning, but then also listening later this afternoon [of] all their contributions by each of the nations, I do feel we’re putting Ukrainians in a good spot,” Brown said. “I realize during the winter months, it gets more challenging, but … I do believe based on what I heard today from each of the nations, we’re doing all the right things to push them to be successful.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also attended the meeting – the first time he’s done so in-person since Austin launched the monthly gatherings last May.
A handful of House Republicans such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) have railed against additional Ukraine funding.
The Biden administration is also seeking help from Congress to address Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre that killed more than 1,200 people in southern Israel.
