The United States is reportedly planning to send another $1.3 billion in military aid to Ukraine as it continues to retaliate against Russia.
The weapons package includes air defenses, anti-drone systems, explosive drones and ammunition, Reuters reported, citing two unnamed US officials.
Weapons manufacturers will supply Kiev with weapons purchased from the United States through President Biden’s Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) program, so the U.S. weapons stockpile will not run out.
Among the systems and munitions the US plans to buy for Kiev are the Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment, or VAMPIRE, made by L3Harris Technologies, Reuters reports.
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Military aid as part of US security assistance to Ukraine is unloaded at Boryspil International Airport outside Kiev on February 13, 2022. (Reuters/Serihi Takhtmazov)
Also included are two different types of loitering munitions, the Phoenix Ghost drone made by AVEVEX, a private California company, and the Switchblade made by AeroVironment Inc.
Another person briefed on the matter told Reuters that Ukraine would receive a significant number of counter-drone systems made by Australia’s Drone Shield Ltd, including radar, sensors and analysis systems.
Reached for comment, a Defense Department official declined to confirm the report.
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President Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visit St. Michael’s Cathedral in Kiev on February 20, 2023. (Reuters/Gleb Garanch)
“We’ve seen those reports, but we don’t have any security assistance announcements at this time,” said Marine Lt. Col. Garvin J. Garn.
Reuters reported an announcement about additional security assistance. Coinciding with the report on Tuesday is a virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contract Group, a gathering of allies providing support to Kiev as Ukraine presses its retaliation against Russia.
The Pentagon has sent more than $10.8 billion in security assistance to Ukraine under Biden’s USAI program in seven separate installments. The reported package would be the eighth, bringing the total to $12.1 billion.
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Soldiers fire a howitzer at Russian positions near Bakhmut, the site of the heaviest fighting, on March 7, 2023, in Donetsk region, Ukraine. (AP Photo/Labkos)
There is an additional $1.7 billion in presidential drawdown authority for fiscal year 2023 as of June 22 that is not yet obligated to Ukraine, in addition to USAI and State Department foreign military financing, Garn told Fox News Digital.
According to the Department of Defense, there is currently $1.9 billion remaining in FY 2023 USAI funds.
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In total, the U.S. has pledged more than $42 billion in security aid to Ukraine since Biden took office, including more than $41.3 billion since the start of Russia’s invasion. The aid includes more than 2,000 Stinger anti-aircraft systems. more than 10,000 javelin anti-armor systems; more than 70,000 other anti-armor systems and munitions; 198 155mm howitzers and over two million 155mm artillery rounds; Rocket Tactical Support Vehicles; Mortar systems and medical supplies.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Source by [Fox News]
