Secretary Austin said: “This is the largest security assistance package we have committed to date. It will include critical interceptors for Ukraine’s Patriot and NASAMS air defense systems, many anti-drone systems and support equipment, large quantities of artillery shells, aerial ammunition, maintenance and sustainment support.”
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (left) and Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Brown. Photo: EPA-EFE
This announcement was made just a few days since the US announced a $1 billion aid package that will quickly provide equipment to Ukraine from US stockpiles, after President Joe Biden signed the additional aid package. added 95 billion USD on April 24.
Immediately after signing the law, Mr. Biden said aid shipments to Ukraine would begin within the next few hours. However, equipment in the $6 billion aid package announced on April 26 cannot arrive in Ukraine soon.
Unlike aid packages that draw military equipment directly from US stockpiles, the aid announcement on April 26 came from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which contracts with industry to buy equipment. USAI intends to provide Ukraine with a long-term supply of weapons and equipment.
Mr. Austin said the delivery schedule will depend on which systems are purchased, but the Pentagon will act as quickly as possible to supply Ukraine.
During the meeting with Mr. Austin, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff CQ Brown said that the aid package from USAI would give Ukraine “more flexibility”.
Mr. Austin also praised Ukraine for being able to stand on its own without significant support from the US in the past few months, and said the combat capabilities that will soon be provided will help them do much better.
Tags: pumps unprecedentedly large aid Ukraine
