DOD announces $300M weapons package for Ukraine

The Defense Department today announced a $300 million security assistance package for Ukraine, including additional ammunition for long-range artillery systems.

The package, funded via presidential “drawdown” authority, will transfer weapons directly from U.S. stocks and is the 37th such action since August 2021.

The package includes:

• Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);

• 155mm Howitzers;

• 155mm artillery rounds;

• 120mm, 81mm, and 60mm mortar rounds;

• Tube-Launched, Optically Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles;

• AT-4 and Carl Gustaf anti-armor weapon systems;

• Hydra-70 aircraft rockets;

• Small arms and small arms ammunition;

• Demolition munitions for obstacle clearing;

• Trucks and trailers to transport heavy equipment;

• Testing and diagnostic equipment to support vehicle maintenance and repair;

• Spare parts and other field equipment.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces are preparing to mount a spring counteroffensive against invading Russian troops that have fortified their positions in the eastern region of the country.

Gen. Christopher Cavoli, chief of U.S. European Command and NATO, said April 26 that Ukraine has nearly all the weapons it requires to commence the operation.

“According to the modeling that we’ve very carefully done with them, the Ukrainians are in a good position,” he said. “I am very confident that we have delivered the materiel that they need and we’ll continue a pipeline to sustain their operations as well.”