Pentagon commits' $2.1 billion to Ukraine to bolster its counter-offensive
Ensuring adequate air defense systems has emerged as a crucial objective for Ukraine, as it seeks to safeguard its cities against Russia's aerial and ground-based cruise and ballistic missiles, and to establish protection against Russian aircrafts
PremiumIn order to bolster the war efforts of Ukraine, the Pentagon on Friday committed an additional $2.1 billion in long-term arms package to the country, a Bloomberg report said. The fresh package will involve providing the war hit nation with air defense systems, artillery munitions, hand-launched drones and laser-guided rockets.
The statement from the Pentagon said that the funds will be used to facilitate the purchase of Hawk launchers and missiles, two types of advanced Patriot air-defense missiles and Puma reconnaissance drones as well as an unspecified number of 105mm and 203mm artillery rounds.
“This announcement represents the beginning of a contracting process to provide additional priority capabilities to Ukraine" under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, the Defense Department said.
Ukraine seeks advance air defense systems
Ensuring advance air defense systems has emerged as a crucial objective for Ukraine, as it seeks to safeguard its cities against Russia's aerial and ground-based cruise and ballistic missiles, and to establish protection against Russian aircrafts. However, a significant portion of the equipment unveiled on Friday will not be promptly available for deployment, as it requires the process of contracting and production. This is in contrast to the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which enables the immediate provision of weapons from US inventories, ensuring a more immediate impact on the battlefield.
Therefore, the delivery of the announced equipment could potentially take several months or even years.
The Defense Department had already allocated $14.6 billion out of the $19 billion that was granted by Congress for the security initiative. Among this amount, $5.6 billion had been designated for specific contracts, indicating progress in the procurement process.
Joe Biden affirms support
US President Joe Biden affirmed to work together with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy for continued assistance to Ukraine in its war against Russia. However, the Republican House Speaker has hinted that he might not support an additional funding package for the Ukraine war effort, in addition to the regular budget allocated to the Pentagon.
“The fact of the matter is that I believe we’ll have the funding necessary to support Ukraine as long as it takes, and I believe that we’re going to add support" as needed, Biden told reporters at a news conference alongside visiting British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
(With Bloomberg inputs)
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