WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon introduced Friday that it’s going to present an extra $2.1 billion in long-term weapons support for Ukraine. The new help bundle will embrace funding for extra Patriot missile battery munitions, Hawk air protection programs and missiles, and small Puma drones that may be launched by hand.
The newest infusion of funding, one of many bigger packages the U.S. has offered, comes as there are indicators that Ukraine is starting — or about to start — the much-anticipated counteroffensive to attempt to take again territory that has been seized by Russia.
Unlike the U.S. gear, weapons and ammunition which can be extra often despatched from Pentagon shares and delivered shortly to Ukraine, this cash can be offered underneath the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and is supposed to be spent over the approaching months and even years to make sure Ukraine’s future safety wants.
In a press release, the Pentagon mentioned the bundle exhibits America’s continued dedication “to both Ukraine’s critical near-term capabilities as well as the enduring capacity of Ukraine’s Armed Forces to defend its territory and deter Russian aggression over the long term.”
The support additionally will embrace munitions for laser-guided rockets, an undisclosed quantity of artillery rounds, and funding for coaching and upkeep assist.
A variety of administration officers have acknowledged that the combating in Ukraine has intensified in latest days, however a lot of the main target turned early this week to the collapse of the Kakhovka dam on the Dnieper River. The White House and the Pentagon insisted Thursday they’re nonetheless working to find out who induced the harm, which set off a scramble to evacuate residents in dozens of flooded areas and get support to these nonetheless there.
Although the U.S. has been keen to supply billions of {dollars} in navy weapons and different support, the Biden administration has been clear that there will likely be no U.S. fight forces inside Ukraine. In that vein, Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, mentioned Thursday the navy had no plans to straight present transportation or different assist to the areas broken by the dam collapse.
The Biden administration has offered greater than $37.6 billion in safety help to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.
Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com