HIMARS bombs and Patriot equipment in new US weapon package for Ukraine 

It is reported by CNN.

A new package might be announced as early as Friday this week. It will amount to $500 million in weapons and equipment taken directly from US stock and about $1.7 billion in weapons purchased from military contractors known as the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).

The package will include a small-diameter ground-based bomb guided by a missile with a range of 150 km. Although these missiles will actually double the range of Ukrainian weapons, the long-awaited ATACMS missile will not be included in the package, the message says.

It is noted that new weapons will not arrive in Ukraine immediately, since they are not stored in the US warehouses. The US will contract with arms manufacturers to supply long-range missiles to Ukraine, a process that could take weeks or months. The package also includes artillery and HIMARS ammunition, as well as Patriot support systems and equipment, the source said.

Ukrainian forces have not yet completed training with the Patriot system in Port Ville, Oklahoma, but the US will provide logistics and maintenance before the first Patriot battery is deployed in Ukraine, the official said.

• On February 1, it was found that the US authorities are going to announce a new package of military aid to Ukraine, possibly including long-range missiles.