May 24, 2024: Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced a major new security assistance package for Ukraine, valued at $275 million. This package is part of the Biden Administration’s ongoing efforts to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. This marks the fifty-eighth tranche of military aid provided from DoD inventories since August 2021 under Presidential Drawdown Authorities (PDA), and the third such package authorized this month.
The latest PDA package includes critical equipment and munitions aimed at supporting Ukraine’s urgent battlefield needs near Kharkiv. Key components of the package are:
Precision strike rockets for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS)
155mm and 105mm artillery rounds
60mm mortar rounds
Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles
Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems
Precision aerial munitions
Small arms and ammunition
Demolition munitions
Anti-armor mines
Tactical recovery vehicles
Protective gear including helmets and body armor
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) protective equipment
Spare parts and maintenance supplies
This significant aid package underscores the United States’ commitment to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin highlighted that this latest aid is designed to provide Ukraine with the capabilities necessary to meet its most pressing defense requirements.
The U.S. continues to collaborate with approximately 50 Allies and partners worldwide to ensure that Ukraine’s forces receive the critical support needed to counter Russian aggression effectively. This assistance package not only enhances Ukraine’s immediate defensive capabilities but also reinforces the long-term strategic partnership between the United States and Ukraine.–News Desk