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Missiles, drones, grenade launchers, and ammunition are among a new tranche of military equipment to be delivered to Ukraine under a new US security assistance package worth over $1 billion.
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US President Joe Biden has announced an additional US$800 million ($1.09 billion) in direct security assistance to Ukraine, aimed at supporting the nation’s resistance to Russian aggression.
The assistance package includes:
- 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.
This is expected to replenish stock previously delivered to Ukraine, and builds on an initial security assistance package, which included:
- five Mi-17 helicopters;
- three patrol boats;
- four counter-artillery and counter-unmanned aerial system tracking radars;
- four counter-mortar radar systems;
- 200 shotguns and 200 machine guns;
- 70 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) and other vehicles;
- secure communications, electronic warfare detection systems, body armour, helmets, and other tactical gear;
- military medical equipment to support treatment and combat evacuation;
- explosive ordnance disposal and demining equipment; and
- satellite imagery and analysis capability.
The US is also exploring longer-range systems for trained Ukrainian forces.
This latest security package takes the combined value of military equipment supplied to Ukraine to US$2 billion ($ 2.7 billion) since the Biden administration entered the White House.
“The United States, together with our allies and partners, stand resolutely with the Ukrainians as they fight for their future,” US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin said.
“And today, President Biden has taken yet another step to support that effort.”
However, US assistance notably omits any commitment to supply Ukraine with fighter jets, despite Poland’s offer to supply MiC-29 aircraft.
A host of nations, including Australia, have joined international efforts to arm the embattled eastern European nation.
A Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III recently unloaded the second tranche of military supplies to Ukraine as part of Australia’s commitment to supporting the nation’s resistance against Russia’s invasion.
The cargo reportedly included both lethal and non-lethal military equipment, ranging from missiles and ammunition to medical supplies.
Details regarding the nature and quantity of Australia’s arms contribution have not been disclosed.
[Related: RAAF C-17A Globemaster delivers second arms load to Ukraine]
