The U.S. has approved a new $300 million weapons aid package for Ukraine, with more munitions for HIMARS launchers and artillery rounds, as Kyiv prepares for an expected counteroffensive operation against Russia.
“This latest package will help Ukraine continue to bravely defend itself in the face of Russia’s brutal, unprovoked, and unjustified war. Russia could end its war today. Until Russia does, the United States and our allies and partners will stand united with Ukraine, for as long as it takes,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on Wednesday.
The latest security aid deal is the 37th drawdown package with equipment to be pulled from DoD inventories, and also includes more 155mm howitzers along with the additional artillery rounds as well as 120mm, 81mm and 60mm mortar rounds, according to the Pentagon.
Ukraine will also receive Raytheon Technologies [RTX]-built TOW missiles, Saab Bofors Dynamics’ AT-4 and Carl Gusfaf anti-armor weapons and General Dynamics’ [GD] Hydra-70 air-launched rockets.
The new deal also covers small arms and ammunition, demolition munitions for obstacle clearing, trucks and trailers for transporting heavy equipment and testing and diagnostic equipment to support vehicle maintenance and repair.
“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 Pentagon said in a statement on Wednesday.