New $400M military aid package to Ukraine includes tanks

By Tony Bertuca / November 4, 2022 at 12:44 PM

The Pentagon announced a $400 million military aid package for Ukraine that would deliver capabilities in the coming years, including money for refurbished tanks and tactical drones.

The package, being resourced through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which is unlike presidential “drawdown” authority that rapidly transfers weapons from U.S. stocks. The USAI is used to contract directly with defense contractors.

The package will include:

  • 45 refurbished T-72B Tanks with advanced optics, communications, and armor packages
  • 1,100 Phoenix Ghost Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems
  • 40 Armored Riverine Boats
  • funding to refurbish 250 M1117 Armored Security Vehicles
  • tactical secure communications systems and surveillance systems
  • funding for training, maintenance, and sustainment

“The overhauled T-72B tanks included in this package are part of a trilateral, coordinated effort with the Netherlands and Czech Republic,” the Pentagon said. “Alongside the United States, the Netherlands will provide 45 additional T-72B Tanks with the support of the Czech Ministry of Defense and in cooperation with Czech industry.”

The package also includes funding to refurbish HAWK air defense missiles for inclusion in future presidential drawdown packages.

“With Russia’s unrelenting and brutal air attacks on Ukrainian civilian critical infrastructure, additional air defense capabilities are critical,” the Pentagon said. “Funding to refurbish HAWK missiles will complement Spain’s recent commitment of HAWK launchers to help Ukraine meet this threat.”

In total, the United States has now committed more than $18.9 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden Administration, with more than $18.2 billion coming since the beginning of Russia’s ongoing invasion.

“This USAI package underscores the continued U.S. commitment to supporting Ukraine by meeting their most urgent needs, while also building the capacity of Ukraine’s Armed Forces to defend its sovereignty over the long term,” the Pentagon said.

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