The Defense Department announced today that President Biden has ordered a $275 million weapons package be sent to Ukraine, including munitions for rocket systems and artillery and anti-tank weapons.
The package comes as the administration is scrambling to obligate approximately $7 billion in security assistance for Ukraine before President Biden leaves office in January and President-elect Trump is sworn in. Trump has shown little enthusiasm for continuing U.S. aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russia, leading to concerns among some lawmakers that support could cease once a new administration takes power.
The Biden administration has also reportedly allowed Ukraine to begin using long-range U.S. weapons to strike Russian territory and has reversed a policy on Ukrainian’s use of American-made antipersonnel mines.
Meanwhile, the newest aid package, funded via Presidential Drawdown Authority, includes:
- Ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
- 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition;
- 60mm and 81mm mortar rounds;
- Unmanned Aerial Systems;
- Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) missiles;
- Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems;
- Small arms and ammunition;
- Demolitions equipment and munitions;
- Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear protective equipment; and
- Spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training, and transportation.
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said yesterday the administration is working as quickly as possible to move the remaining aid funds, despite having little time left in office.
“Every single day, this building, you know, is working on ensuring that Ukraine has what it needs to be successful on the battlefield in the short and long term,” she said. “You've heard it from here and you've heard it from the White House that we are committed to using that full authority that Congress has allotted to us. The only way we can do that also is to make sure that our shelves are fully back-filled and stocked. So, as our shelves continue to get stocked with equipment and capabilities that are needed, we draw down from those and send those to Ukraine. The president has committed to ensuring that every dollar that Congress is allocated will be spent.”