Air defense systems strengthened in new Ukraine assistance package

The Defense Department today announced an additional security assistance package for Ukraine, including air defense systems, munitions and anti-tank weapons worth an estimated $225 million, with the announcement coming on the heels of the NATO summit in Washington.

This marks the 61st tranche of equipment the Biden administration has provided Ukraine, totaling more than $54.4 billion in security assistance, DOD said today.

At the NATO summit earlier this week, President Biden announced the U.S. is working together with Germany, Romania, the Netherlands and Italy to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses by supplying five strategic air defense systems, like Patriot batteries and SAMP/T systems.

The package announced today after a meeting between Biden and Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy includes supplying one additional Patriot battery. A previous Pentagon fact sheet noted that the U.S. has already supplied Ukraine with one Patriot battery since the beginning of Russia’s invasion.

However, a February Defense Department I.G. report found that there was no lifecycle sustainment strategy for the Patriot air defense systems the Pentagon delivered to Ukraine, although the department was working on sustainment efforts.

Today’s package also includes munitions for national advanced surface-to-air missile systems; stinger anti-aircraft missiles; ammunition for high mobility artillery rocket systems; 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds; tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided equipment and missiles; Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems; demolitions munitions; and spare parts for maintenance.

“The United States will continue to work together with some 50 Allies and partners to ensure Ukraine's brave defenders receive the critical capabilities needed to fight Russian aggression,” DOD said.