DOD announces $350M aid package for Ukraine

The Defense Department today announced a $350 million security aid package for Ukraine that will transfer weapons directly from U.S. stocks.

The package, funded via presidential “drawdown” authority, includes:

• Ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems;

• 155mm artillery rounds;

• 25mm ammunition;

• High-speed Anti-radiation missiles;

• 81mm and 60mm mortar systems and mortar rounds;

• AT-4 anti-armor weapon systems;

• Grenade launchers, small arms, and associated ammunition;

• Demolition munitions and equipment for obstacle clearing;

• Mine clearing equipment;

• Heavy fuel tankers;

• Thermal imagery systems, optics, and laser rangefinders;

• Riverine patrol boats;

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

• Spare parts and other field equipment.

The announcement represents the 34th drawdown of U.S. equipment to aid Ukraine since the start of Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

Last month, Pentagon policy chief Colin Kahl said DOD had about $12 billion remaining in congressionally appropriated security assistance funds for Ukraine in fiscal year 2023.

Mike McCord, Pentagon comptroller, said last week that DOD is not requesting funds to support Ukraine as part of the regular fiscal year 2024 budget request and would continue to rely on supplemental appropriations from Congress. He said DOD was not yet crafting an additional supplemental funding request for Ukraine, though he noted it could be done fairly quickly.