Espreso. Global

US has two backup ways to support Ukraine with weapons without approved budgets

29 February, 2024 Thursday
17:35

This refers to a rather interesting program called Excess Defense Articles, as well as the opportunity to use the result of an accounting error worth billions of dollars

client/title.list_title

Defense Express writes about this.

While funding for military assistance to Ukraine since October 2022 has been held hostage by political disputes in the United States, along with the entire budget of the country, which continues to live in a mode of avoiding a "shutdown," Washington still has the opportunity to use two backup channels to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The first is to send weapons without funding for their replacement. The second is the Excess Defense Articles mechanism, as described by Defense News.

“Regarding the first, after an error was discovered in calculating the cost of the donated weapons, the Pentagon technically still has $4 billion left. But for now, these are just funds on the balance sheet, not a real resource. Because the Pentagon does not use them as the US has not adopted a budget and any additional spending is blocked,” the article states.

Therefore, a strong-willed decision needs to be made on how to use these funds under the PDA program. But it should be noted that these funds have already been spent, as initially there were 6.2 billion dollars, and now only 4 billion dollars remain.

Defense Express recalled that in the summer of 2023, an internal audit revealed an incorrect calculation of the cost of weapons transferred to Ukraine under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA). Instead of the carrying amount of the old weapons, the price of their replacement with a new model was calculated. The difference over 1.5 years amounted to $6.2 billion, or 28%.

“As for Excess Defense Articles, this is a program for the transfer of surplus weapons. It is being implemented quite actively by the United States, when instead of disposing of weapons, they are simply transferred to a partner country that assumes the costs of their repair, restoration, and logistics,” the report explained.

For example, under this program, Ukraine received "Afghan" Mi-17s, the Czech Republic received AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters under this program, and 300 Bradleys were planned to be sent to Greece at once. And Washington can technically use Excess Defense Articles to transfer its weapons to Ukraine through third countries, the Defense Express concluded.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Wednesday
5 February
13:29
IAEA halts mission rotation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant over Russian security risks
13:12
Putin only wants Ukraine’s next president to be anti-West — Zelenskyy
13:00
Updated
Russian ballistic missile strike on Ukraine’s Izyum kills 5, injures 59
12:56
Ukraine's Defense Ministry deploys robotic units in military brigades
12:48
Updated
Ukrainian forces target oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar region, fire breaks out
12:37
Exclusive
Ukraine targets 30 Russian facilities in January — military expert Zgurets
12:15
OPINION
Exchanging Ukraine’s rare earth metals for U.S. military aid is solid deal. Column by Vitaly Portnikov
11:54
Russian conscription fails to offset battlefield losses — ISW
11:32
Review
Ukraine’s military reform: key goals, objectives. Serhiy Zgurets’ column
11:09
Ukrainian forces repel 35 Russian attacks near Pokrovsk, 12 in Kursk region on Feb. 4
10:31
Exclusive
Russia likely increases Shahed drone warhead to 90kg — Kharkiv official
10:13
Over 45,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in war with Russia — Zelenskyy
09:55
Russia loses 1,140 soldiers, 52 artillery systems, 9 tanks in one day of war in Ukraine
2025, Tuesday
4 February
21:45
Gimli robotic complex joins Ukraine's army, aiding in evacuation and resupply
21:30
Exclusive
When could Ukraine hold elections after the war? Lawyer explains
21:12
Ryanair plans to resume flights to Lviv, Kyiv 4-6 weeks after war ends
20:57
Black Sea tankers wreck: IMO holds Russia responsible
20:40
"Don't let them drain resources": military commander reacts to Trump
20:23
Polish Military Institute of Armament Technology, Ukrainian NAUDI agree to cooperate
20:07
Exclusive
USAID funding freeze: Expert Riabtsev on potential risks for Ukraine’s energy sector
19:51
Exclusive
Trump's proposal to get rare metals from Ukraine is political move – analyst
19:35
"We are open to U.S. investments": Zelenskyy responds to Trump's statement on rare earth elements
19:08
Ukraine to introduce mandatory psychological aid training for doctors – First Lady
18:50
Exclusive
Ukrainian forces may have to withdraw from Chasiv Yar – military analyst
18:33
Von der Leyen urges EU to find "most creative way" to use Russian assets for Ukraine
18:15
Exclusive
Western weapons can now strike deep into Russia, but new problem emerges
17:54
U.S., Ukraine did not discuss elections before 2025 — Ambassador Markarova
17:34
Updated
"The situation is critical": IAEA chief visits key substations vital for Ukraine's nuclear power plants
17:14
Russian national hockey team banned from 2026 World Championship
16:55
Ukraine’s HIV response at risk amid U.S. aid freeze
16:33
Support for military aid to Ukraine declines in Poland
16:15
Russia equips Gerbera foam drones with warheads
15:56
Ukraine’s parliament approves defense loan agreement with UK
15:32
Ukrainian troops release GoPro footage of repelling Russian assault, eliminating two squads
15:14
OPINION
Ukraine’s power sector withstands winter challenges, but risks remain
14:55
Ukraine’s embassy facilitates meetings between Zelenskyy, Trump teams — Ambassador
14:33
Hopes for Russian democracy met harsh reality – Ex-MP Kendzior on Ukrainian diaspora in 1990s
13:57
Review
Russian advance slows down, how Ukrainian Armed Forces approaches change. Serhiy Zgurets' column
13:35
U.S. firefighters document impact of Russian strikes in Ukraine, set to release second film
13:16
Exclusive
Ukraine takes key step in reforming Armed Forces management system – military expert
More news