US announces new USD 1.2 billion military aid package for Ukraine

The USD 1.2 billion package is being provided under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), the US Defense Department said in a statement.

The package includes:

• Additional air defense systems and munitions;
• Equipment to integrate Western air defense launchers, missiles, and radars with Ukraine's air defense systems;
• Ammunition for counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems;
• 155mm artillery rounds;
• Commercial satellite imagery services;
• Support for training, maintenance, and sustainment activities.

"This USAI package underscores the continued U.S. commitment to meeting Ukraine's most urgent requirements by committing critical near-term capabilities, such as air defense systems and munitions, while also building the capacity of Ukraine's Armed Forces to defend its territory and deter Russian aggression over the long term," the statement said.

The Pentagon emphasizes that this will be unlike Presidential Drawdown authority (PDA), which is carried out from the Defense Ministry's warehouses and very quickly, but under the USAI program, under which the government purchases or orders from industry or partners. This announcement is the beginning of a contracting process to provide additional priority capabilities to Ukraine.

"The United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield needs and longer-term security assistance requirements," the US summarizes.

• On May 9, the Pentagon reported it was preparing to provide Ukraine with a new USD 1.2 billion military aid package to strengthen its air defense, provide artillery, spare parts, and intelligence.