US Defense Department announces USD 125Mn for Ukraine


The U.S. Department of Defense announced on March 1 that a new $125 million package for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative that includes training, equipment, and advisory efforts to help Ukraine’s forces preserve the country’s territorial integrity, secure its borders, and improve interoperability with NATO.
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Contextual picture, as no identification of the counter-artillery radar(s) to be supplied to Ukraine is indicated. The AN/TPQ-36 is a mobile radar system developed by Hughes Aircraft Company and manufactured by Northrop Grumman and ThalesRaytheonSystems. The AN/TPQ-36 is a highly mobile short range radar which can locate mortars, artillery and rockets within the accuracy of that weapons system (Picture source: Army Recognition)


The USAI package includes two additional armed Mark IV patrol boats to enhance Ukraine’s capacity to patrol and defend its territorial waters. To date, the U.S. has committed a total of eight Mark IV patrol boats *. The package also includes capabilities to enhance the lethality, command and control, and situational awareness of Ukraine’s forces through the provision of additional counter-artillery radars and tactical equipment; continued support for a satellite imagery and analysis capability; and equipment to support military medical treatment and combat evacuation procedures. 

The remaining $150 million in fiscal year 2021 USAI funds appropriated by Congress will be provided when the Defense Department, in coordination with the Department of State, certifies that Ukraine has made sufficient progress on key defense reforms this year, as required by the National Defense Authorization Act.

The Department encourages Ukraine to continue to enact reforms that strengthen civilian control of the military, promote increased transparency and accountability in defense industry and procurement, and modernize its defense sector in other key areas in line with NATO principles and standards.

The United States has committed more than $2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since 2014 and remains committed to assisting Ukraine with the implementation of these reforms to advance its Euro-Atlantic aspirations in support of a secure, prosperous, democratic, and free Ukraine.

 

* MK IV 68’ Patrol Boat
The MKIV’s were based on the MKIII 65’ Patrol Boats built by the Peterson Boat Building Co. in Wisconsin and use by Special Boat Units since 1973. The MKIII’s themselves, were based on oil rig crew boats in the Gulf of Mexico, as were the MKI Patrol Boats and MKI and MKII PCF’s (Patrol Craft, Fast) or “Swift” boats. The MKIV’s were extended three feet, primarily to accommodate three, Detroit Diesel 12V71TI engines. The MKIII had three 8V71TI engines. The upgrade was required to accommodate the weight of the 2 M242 Bushmaster, 25mm Chain guns, which was designed as the primary weapon o the M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle, and the general consensus was that the MKIII’s were underpowered, especially when conducting RDT&E on systems such as the Penguin Missile.


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Mk IV Patrol Boat (Picture source : Warboats.org)