United States Announces New Delivery of 150 M1117 Armored Vehicles for Ukraine.

The United States has unveiled a $375 million military aid package for Ukraine. This new package, which nearly doubles the value of previous deliveries, includes artillery ammunition, air defense systems, anti-tank missiles, and other essential equipment to strengthen Ukraine's defensive capabilities. Notably, it includes 150 M1117 armored vehicles.
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The M1117 armored vehicle is a security vehicle, designed by the United States. (Picture source: French DoD)

The announcement was made on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, in parallel with a joint declaration signed by President Joe Biden and other world leaders, pledging continued support for the reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine. This declaration, emphasizing assistance "in the future, in war, and peace," comes during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the United States, in connection with the United Nations General Assembly, as well as meetings with senior U.S. officials, including the White House.

In his speech at the UN, Zelensky called on the world to stand against what he described as Russia's "colonial war." He highlighted the similarities between this conflict and the history of colonialism, asserting that Ukraine would not allow such a past to be imposed on its present and future.

On Thursday, Zelensky will meet with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington. During these discussions, Zelensky plans to unveil his "victory plan" to defeat Russia, which includes a renewed request for the use of U.S.-manufactured long-range missiles to strike deep into Russian territory. However, this request has been consistently denied by the Biden administration.

The Biden administration currently has nearly $6 billion in unused presidential drawdown authority, a provision that allows the U.S. to transfer military arms and equipment directly from its stockpiles to Ukraine. This authority will expire at the end of the month. It is expected that the administration will allocate the remaining funds to Ukraine, with aid deliveries continuing over the coming months.

The new package notably includes 150 M1117 armored vehicles. This security vehicle, designed by the United States, is primarily used for troop transport and protection in hostile environments. Armed with a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher, a 7.62 mm machine gun, and a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun, it has significant firepower, enabling it to respond to a variety of threats. It is equipped with armor that protects its crew from 360-degree small arms fire, anti-tank mines under any wheel, and artillery burst fragments from overhead.

The M1117 is used by several countries, including Afghanistan, Canada, Bulgaria, Colombia, Iraq, Kosovo, Greece, and most recently Ukraine, which has previously received some of these vehicles. It weighs approximately 14,785 kg and was designed to combine mobility and protection, with a maximum speed of 97 km/h, allowing it to move swiftly across different types of terrain.

In terms of range, the M1117 can travel up to 710 km without refueling, making it a valuable asset for extended missions. Its accessories include night and day vision systems, a personnel heater, and an air conditioner for operating in extreme conditions. Additional options include reinforced armor, an ABS braking system, GPS, and individual or overpressure NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) protection, further enhancing its versatility depending on mission requirements.

The M1117 is designed to accommodate a crew of two, with the capacity to carry up to eight additional passengers. Measuring 6.07 meters in length, 2.56 meters in width, and 2.59 meters in height, its compact dimensions allow it to be both robust and maneuverable, adapting to a wide variety of battlefield scenarios.

In recent weeks, due to the depletion of available surplus stocks, the U.S. had announced smaller aid packages, each worth around $200 million. This new package represents a significant increase in aid. In addition to the 150 M1117 armored security vehicles, the package includes nine additional armored bridging systems, likely M60 AVLBs, and ten coastal and river patrol boats. These reinforcements will play a crucial role in Ukraine’s continued efforts to defend its territory against Russian aggression.