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Howitzers and counter-artillery radars are among a new tranche of military supplies to be donated by the United States in support of Ukraine’s defense against Russia.
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The US Department of Defense has announced the authorisation of a new $100 million (AU$142 million) Presidential Drawdown of security assistance for Ukraine.
This latest package includes:
- (18) 155mm Howitzers;
- (18) tactical vehicles to tow 155mm Howitzers;
- (3) AN/TPQ-36 counter-artillery radars; and
- field equipment and spare parts.
This represents the 10th drawdown of equipment from the DOD’s inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.
In March, US President Joe Biden announced an additional US$800 million ($1.09 billion) in direct security assistance, which included:
- 800 Stinger anti-aircraft systems;
- 2,000 Javelin, 1,000 light anti-armour weapons, and 6,000 AT-4 anti-armour systems;
- 100 tactical unmanned aerial systems;
- 100 grenade launchers, 5,000 rifles, 1,000 pistols, 400 machine guns, and 400 shotguns;
- over 20 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenade launcher and mortar rounds;
- 25,000 sets of body armour; and
- 25,000 helmets.
In total, the United States has committed approximately US$4.6 billion (AU$6.5 billion) to Ukraine since President Biden assumed office.
“The United States also continues to work with its allies and partners to identify and provide Ukraine with additional capabilities to defend itself,” Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said.
This latest package from the United States comes just a day after Australia announced 14 M113 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) and a further 20 Thales-built Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles (PMVs) would be gifted to Ukraine in support of its ongoing resistance to Russian aggression.
This builds on the 20 Bushmasters, including two ambulance variants, initially delivered to Ukraine following a request from President Volodymyr Zelensky, taking the total number of PMVs gifted to the country to 40.
This latest government support package also includes the supply of three pallets of radiation monitoring equipment and personal protective equipment, arranged by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) and Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO).
Additionally, Australia has committed to delivering 60 pallets of medical supplies donated by Australian citizens.
The total value of this latest support package is approximately $60.9 million, with the 14 APCs costing an estimated $12 million and the 20 PMVs $48.9 million.
This takes the total value of Australia’s contribution to Ukraine’s resistance to $285 million.
[Related: US ramps up military assistance to Ukraine]
