The U.S. has approved a new $2.1 billion weapons aid package for Ukraine, which includes plans to provide additional munitions for Patriot air defense systems and more artillery rounds.
The latest package arrives as Ukraine has reportedly begun its counteroffensive operation against Russia and includes equipment to be procured from industry using Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) funds, rather than drawn directly from existing Pentagon stockpiles.
“This USAI package illustrates the continued commitment to both Ukraine’s critical near-term capabilities as well as the enduring capacity of Ukraine’s armed forces to defend its territory and deter Russian aggression over the long term,” the Pentagon said on Friday.
Along with the munitions for the Raytheon Technologies’ [RTX] Patriot system, Ukraine will receive HAWK air defense systems also built by the company.
Earlier in May, the Pentagon confirmed that Ukraine had successfully used a Patriot battery to take out a Russian Kinzhal missile, which has been described as having the ability to operate at hypersonic speeds (Defense Daily, May 9).
The new USAI package also includes plans to procure 105mm and 203mm artillery rounds, AeroVironment [AVAV] Puma drones, laser-guided rocket system munitions and support for training and sustainment, according to the Pentagon.
A group of lawmakers on Friday, led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas), also introduced a bipartisan resolution urging the Biden administration to provide ATACMS missiles to Ukraine.
“By not giving Ukraine the weapons it needs to win this war, the administration is prolonging the conflict and costing countless Ukrainian lives,” McCaul said in a statement. “The success of Ukraine’s counteroffensive is directly tied to the military assistance provided by the U.S. and our allies. As such, it is extremely disappointing the administration is sitting on billions in remaining military funding with which it could immediately transfer ATACMS to Ukraine and, in turn, help their Armed Forces make a major difference on the battlefield.”
Along with the McCaul, the resolution to prioritize providing the longer-range ATACMS to aid Ukraine was also signed by Reps. Tom Kean (R-N.J.), Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), Bill Keating (D-Mass.), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) and Jared Golden (D-Maine).
Keating said the Lockheed Martin [LMT]-built ATACMS, which is fired from HIMARS launchers, would allow Ukraine to strike “high-value Russian military targets that are currently inaccessible in Russian-occupied Ukraine.”
During a visit to the Pentagon in April, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reiterated Kyiv’s continued request for longer-range missile systems (Defense Daily, April 12).
“We will win this war. But to achieve it faster and with fewer casualties, Ukraine still needs intensive military support, more air defense systems that minimize the impact of Russian air strikes, more heavy artillery, mortars and ammunition for them. We also ask you [to] reconsider the possibility of providing Ukraine with longer-range missiles,” Shmyhal said at the time.
While the U.S. has been delivering GMLRS rockets for the HIMARS launchers it has provided to Ukraine, it has yet to commit to sending longer-range ATACMS missiles.
ATACMS can reach out to 300 kilometers, more than three times the ability of GMLRS’ max range.