Multiple 155mm rounds are displayed during a howitzer live-fire exercise at al Asad Air Base, Iraq in 2020. (U.S. Army)
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon on Wednesday announced new military aid for Ukraine, including air defense systems and artillery rounds, worth about $1 billion after President Joe Biden quickly signed the legislation passed Congress to move much-needed weapons and equipment to forces trying to stop a surging Russian invasion.
“In the next few hours, we’re going to begin sending equipment to Ukraine for air defense munitions, for artillery, for rocket systems and armored vehicles,” Biden said.
The Pentagon hasn’t been able to provide Ukraine with more weapons or ammunition since its last aid package of $250 million in December.
The U.S. was able to send $300 million in weapons and ammunition in March after defense officials said the Pentagon was able to find cost savings in earlier Ukraine contracts and used that money to send more military aid to Ukraine.
The House on Saturday passed legislation that included $95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, with $60 billion going to Ukraine. The Senate passed the legislation Tuesday night, and Biden signed it into law Wednesday morning.
The new funding ended months of political deadlock that saw the bill stall because some Republicans were opposed to arming Ukraine even though Russia gained momentum on the battlefield.
“When our allies are stronger, we are stronger. This is a reminder of what America can do when we come together despite our differences,” Biden said.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in posts on X thanked the House and Senate for passing the foreign aid package.
“I am also grateful to all Americans who continue to support Ukraine and recognize that the historical significance of this bill extends beyond politics,” Zelenskyy said in a statement Tuesday. “Ukraine’s long-range capabilities, artillery and air defense are critical tools for restoring just peace sooner.”
Previous aid has been provided through presidential drawdown authorities, where equipment is pulled from existing U.S. military stocks and sent to Ukraine on an emergency basis, or long-term assistance to procure weapons and munitions from the defense industry or partner countries for a later time.
With the latest package, the U.S. has provided nearly $46 billion in aid to Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022 that has stretched into its third year.
Items in the military aid package include:
• RIM-7 and AIM-9M missiles for air defense.
• Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.
• Small arms and additional rounds of small arms ammunition, including .50 caliber rounds to counter drones.
• Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems.
• 155mm artillery rounds.
• 105mm artillery rounds.
• 60mm mortar rounds.
• Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles.
• Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles.
• High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles.
• Logistics support vehicles.
• Tactical vehicles to tow and haul equipment.
• Tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided missiles.
• Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems.
• Precision aerial munitions.
• Airfield support equipment.
• Anti-armor mines.
• Claymore anti-personnel munitions.
• Demolitions munitions for obstacle clearing.
• Night vision devices.
• Spare parts, field equipment, training munitions, maintenance, and other equipment.
