US announces USD 2.98 Billion in additional military aid to Ukraine.

As published on August 24, 2022, by Jim Garamone on the Pentagon’s website, on the 31st anniversary of Ukraine's independence, the United States is reinforcing its long-term commitment to the nation with $2.98 billion to train and equip the Ukrainian armed forces for their struggle against the Russian invasion.
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Launcher unit of NASAMS air defense missile system (Picture source: Army Recognition)

President Joe Biden announced the aid at the White House. He said the people of the world have been awed and inspired by Ukrainian resistance and pledged the United States will stand with the people of Ukraine as they fight to defend their sovereignty. The aid "will allow Ukraine to acquire air defense systems, artillery systems and munitions, counter-unmanned aerial systems, and radars to ensure it can continue to defend itself over the long term," the president said. It is the largest single U.S. aid package to Ukraine since the Russians invaded the nation six months ago.

The aid "underscores the U.S. commitment to supporting Ukraine over the long term, representing multi-year investments in critical capabilities to build the enduring strength of Ukraine's armed forces as it continues to defend Ukraine's sovereignty in the face of Russian aggression," Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a written statement.

This aid is tangible proof of America's belief in the Ukrainian people. Unlike the presidential drawdown authority that allows the almost immediate delivery to Ukraine of existing stocks of weapons, these funds are part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. This process allows the United States to procure capabilities from the industry. "This announcement represents the beginning of a contracting process to provide additional priority capabilities to Ukraine in the mid- and long-term," Ryder said.

These capabilities include six additional National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and munitions. It also includes up to 245,000 rounds of 155 mm artillery ammunition and up to 65,000 rounds of 120 mm mortar ammunition. The process will also supply up to 24 counter-artillery radars, Puma Unmanned Aerial Systems and support equipment for Scan Eagle unmanned aerial systems. Russia is using unmanned aerial systems, too, and the aid package will provide VAMPIRE Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems to the Ukrainians. The aid will also provide laser-guided rocket systems.

The money will also be used for training, maintenance and sustainment.

Since January 2021, the United States has committed more than $13.5 billion in security assistance to Ukraine.

The equipment the United States provides has changed as the Russian invasion has continued. Originally, the U.S. provided anti-armor and antiaircraft munitions, including the Javelin and Stinger systems. After the Ukrainian military drove the Russians back from Ukraine's capital of Kyiv, the nature of the war changed. Russia then attacked the eastern part of Ukraine. The nature of the combat changed, and the fighting required more artillery pieces and crew-served capabilities.

Nearly $3 Billion in Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine

On August 24, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced approximately $3 billion in additional security assistance for Ukraine under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder published on DoD’s website.

This USAI package, which is being announced on Ukraine Independence Day, underscores the U.S. commitment to supporting Ukraine over the long term – representing a multi-year investment to build the enduring strength of Ukraine's Armed Forces as it continues to defend its sovereignty in the face of Russian aggression. Unlike Presidential Drawdown (PDA), which DoD has continued to leverage to deliver equipment to Ukraine from DoD stocks at a historic pace, USAI is an authority under which the United States procures capabilities from the industry. This announcement represents the beginning of a contracting process to provide additional priority capabilities to Ukraine in the mid- and long-term to ensure Ukraine can continue to defend itself as an independent, sovereign and prosperous state. It is the biggest tranche of security assistance for Ukraine to date. Capabilities include:
• Six additional National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) with additional munitions for NASAMS;
• Up to 245,000 rounds of 155mm artillery ammunition;
• Up to 65,000 rounds of 120mm mortar ammunition;
• Up to 24 counter-artillery radars;
• Puma Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and support equipment for Scan Eagle UAS systems;
• VAMPIRE Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems;
• Laser-guided rocket systems;
• Funding for training, maintenance, and sustainment.

The United States has committed more than $13.5 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since January 2021. In total, the United States has committed more than $15.5 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since 2014.

Through both PDA and USAI, DoD continues to work with Ukraine to meet both its immediate and longer-term security assistance needs.

Together with our Allies and partners, our unified efforts will help Ukraine continue to be successful today and build the enduring strength of their forces to ensure the continued freedom and independence of the Ukrainian people for years to come.

Fact Sheet on U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine as of August 24, 2022

In total, the United States has committed more than $13.5 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden Administration, including approximately $12.9 billion since the beginning of Russia’s unprovoked and brutal invasion on February 24, 2022.

United States security assistance committed to Ukraine includes:
• Over 1,400 Stinger anti-aircraft systems;
• Over 8,500 Javelin anti-armor systems;
• Over 27,000 other anti-armor systems;
• Over 700 Switchblade Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems;
• 126 155mm Howitzers and up to 806,000 155mm artillery rounds;
• 16 105mm Howitzers and 108,000 105mm artillery rounds;
• 126 Tactical Vehicles to tow 155mm Howitzers;
• 22 Tactical Vehicles to recover equipment;
• 16 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and ammunition;
• 20 120mm mortar systems and 85,000 rounds of 120mm mortar rounds;
• 1,500 Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles;
• Four Command Post vehicles;
• Eight National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and munitions;
• High-speed Anti-radiation missiles;
• 20 Mi-17 helicopters;
• Hundreds of Armored High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles;
• 200 M113 Armored Personnel Carriers;
• 40 MaxxPro Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles with mine rollers;
• Mine clearing equipment and systems;
• Over 10,000 grenade launchers and small arms;
• Over 59,000,000 rounds of small arms ammunition;
• 75,000 sets of body armor and helmets;
• Approximately 700 Phoenix Ghost Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems;
• Laser-guided rocket systems;
• Puma Unmanned Aerial Systems;
• 15 Scan Eagle Unmanned Aerial Systems;
• Unmanned Coastal Defense Vessels;
• Up to 50 counter-artillery radars;
• Four counter-mortar radars;
• Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems;
• Four air surveillance radars;
• Two harpoon coastal defense systems;
• 18 coastal and riverine patrol boats;
• M18A1 Claymore anti-personnel munitions;
• C-4 explosives, demolition munitions, and demolition equipment for obstacle clearing;
• Tactical secure communications systems;
• Thousands of night vision devices, thermal imagery systems, optics, and laser
rangefinders;
• Commercial satellite imagery services;
• Explosive ordnance disposal protective gear;
• Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear protective equipment;
• 50 armored medical treatment vehicles;
• Medical supplies to include first aid kits, bandages, monitors, and other equipment;
• Electronic jamming equipment;
• Field equipment and spare parts;
• Funding for training, maintenance, and sustainment.