by: LOLITA C. BALDOR and MATTHEW LEE, Associated Press
Posted: Jun 13, 2023 / 12:17 pm EDT
Updated: June 13, 2023 / 12:17 PM EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Pentagon will deliver a new $325 million military aid package to Ukraine that will include a wide range of rockets, missiles and other munitions aimed at bolstering a counteroffensive against Russia, the U.S. Department of Defense said Tuesday. ‘State.
The aid will include missiles for what are considered critical air defense systems: the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAM) and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), as well as Stinger missiles and Javelin and more than two. dozens of Bradley and Stryker armored fighting vehicles.
The aid comes as Ukraine has stepped up attacks along the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line, in the early stages of a counteroffensive to retake Russian-held territory.
Including the latest aid, the US has committed nearly $40 billion in weapons and other equipment to Ukraine since Russia attacked on February 24, 2022. This latest package will come under presidential withdrawal authority, which allows the Pentagon to quickly remove the weapons from its stockpiles and deliver them to Ukraine, officials said.
Also in the new aid delivery will be 22 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenades, and a variety of other rockets and munitions. It also includes spare parts, communications and demolition equipment and funding for training.
“The United States remains with the people of Ukraine, whose courage and solidarity inspires the world,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
