NASAMS and more: US announces new military aid package to Ukraine
NASAMS air defense system (Getty Images)
The United States is providing Ukraine with new weaponry worth $1.3 billion as part of a military aid package, it includes NASAMS air defense systems, according to the US Department of Defense.
According to the statement, the package will be provided as part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).
The Pentagon specifies that USAI is an authority under which the United States procures capabilities from industry or partners to then send to Ukraine.
The new US aid package includes:
- Four National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and munitions;
- 152mm artillery rounds;
- Mine clearing equipment;
- Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles;
- Phoenix Ghost and Switchblade Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS);
- Precision aerial munitions;
- Counter-UAS and electronic warfare detection equipment;
- 150 fuel trucks;
- 115 tactical vehicles to tow and haul equipment;
- 50 tactical vehicles to recover equipment;
- Port and harbor security equipment;
- Tactical secure communications systems;
- Support for training, maintenance, and sustainment activities.
"The United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield needs and longer-term security assistance requirements," the statement reads.
US aid to Ukraine
The US is one of Ukraine's main allies following the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. Washington has already provided Ukraine with dozens of military aid packages, including Abrams tanks, Patriot air defense systems, Bradley armored vehicles, and more.
The latest military aid package from the United States also includes cluster munitions, which Ukraine requested several months ago. They have already been delivered to Ukraine's territory.
