The U.S. Department of Defense on May 3 announced an additional security assistance package for Ukraine containing more ammunition for U.S.-provided M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) among other weapons to arm Ukrainian forces against Russia's unprovoked war of aggression. The latest package, valued at up to $300 million, marks the 37th drawdown of DoD equipment for Ukraine since August 2021. Joseph Clark, U.S. DoD, provides details.
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Two Ukrainian soldiers assigned to the 1st Bn, 80th Airmobile Bde, align a mortar during a live-fire exercise (Picture source: U.S. Army)
In addition to HIMARS ammunition, the package includes additional artillery and mortar rounds, antiarmor capabilities, heavy transport equipment and spare parts for field equipment. The U.S. has pledged to work with its allies to provide Ukraine with the capabilities needed to meet its immediate battlefield requirements, as well as its longer-term security assistance needs.
Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, the U.S. has led 11 meetings of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), an alliance of more than 50 countries committed to the defense of Ukraine. The most recent UDCG meeting was held last month at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
"Our common efforts have made a huge difference to Ukraine's defenders on the battlefield," Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said during his opening remarks. "And they underscore just how badly the Kremlin miscalculated. Putin thought that he could easily topple Kyiv's democratically elected government. He thought that the wider world would let him get away with it. He thought that our unity would splinter. But he was wrong — on each and every count."
The capabilities in this package include:
• Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
• 155mm Howitzers;
• 155mm artillery rounds;
• 120mm, 81mm, and 60mm mortar rounds;
• Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles;
• AT-4 and Carl Gustaf anti-armor weapon systems;
• Hydra-70 aircraft rockets;
• Small arms and small arms ammunition;
• Demolition munitions for obstacle clearing;
• Trucks and trailers to transport heavy equipment;
• Testing and diagnostic equipment to support vehicle maintenance and repair;
• Spare parts and other field equipment.
