Missiles for HIMARS and more: U.S. announces new military aid package for Ukraine

According to Blinken, the package includes:

• air defense munitions,
• additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rockets Systems,
• artillery ammunition,
• High-speed Anti-Radiation Missiles,
• anti-armor missiles,
• small arms ammunition,
• demolitions munitions for obstacle clearing,
• equipment to protect critical national infrastructure,
• and spare parts,
• ancillary equipment,
• services, training,
• and transportation.

The Secretary of State emphasizes that if Congress doesn't support the new aid funding, "this will be one of the last security assistance packages we can provide to Ukraine."

"Helping Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression and secure its future advances our national security interests and contributes to global stability around the world, and we need Congress to act immediately," notes Blinken.

The Pentagon has detailed the composition of the aid package for Ukraine

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Ukraine will receive the following under the new military assistance package:

• AIM-9M and AIM-7 missiles for air defense;
• Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
• 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds;
• High-speed Anti-radiation missiles (HARMs);
• Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles;
• Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems;
• More than 4 million rounds of small arms ammunition;
• Vehicles to tow and haul equipment;
• Demolitions munitions for obstacle clearing;
• Equipment to protect critical national infrastructure;
• Spare parts, maintenance, and other ancillary equipment.

Background

In October, U.S. President Joe Biden urged Congress to allocate over $100 billion for national security needs, which included more than $60 billion for funding Ukraine assistance.

The respective bill is set to be considered today, December 6, in the U.S. Senate. However, it's likely not to gather the required votes, as Republicans plan to vote against it.

Members of the minority in the upper house of Congress demand that the White House include proposals in the request to strengthen border security.

For more details on why Congress can't reach an agreement on aid for Ukraine, read RBC-Ukraine's material.