The Biden administration on Friday announced a new $400 million weapons package for Ukraine that includes ammunition for the HIMARS rocket systems, artillery rounds, and 25mm ammunition for Bradley Fighting Vehicles.
The package is being provided through the presidential drawdown authority, which allows President Biden to arm Ukraine with weapons and ammunition sitting in US military stockpiles. The new equipment comes as the US is helping Ukraine prepare for a potential counteroffensive against Russian forces.
According to the Pentagon, the full package includes:
- Additional ammunition for HIMARS
- Additional 155mm artillery rounds
- Additional 105mm artillery rounds
- Additional 25mm ammunition
- Armored Vehicle Launched Bridges
- Demolition munitions and equipment for obstacle clearing
- Testing and diagnostic equipment to support vehicle maintenance and repair
- Spare parts and other field equipment
According to a fact sheet released by the Pentagon the same day, the US has pledged $32.2 billion in military equipment for Ukraine since the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022.
The funds for the weapons package are being pulled from the $45 billion in Ukraine aid that was made available by Congress in December. So far, the US has authorized about $113 billion in spending on the war, which includes military aid, money to replenish US stockpiles, funding for additional US troops deployments in eastern Europe, economic assistance, and humanitarian aid.
The $45 billion is expected to be exhausted by the summer, and some Biden administration officials have conveyed to Ukraine that they might not be able to get such massive aid packages in the future even though Congress still overwhelmingly supports the policy.
The Pentagon and the President need to reel themselves in. The way this is looking, we’ll be in a war before you know it.
I need to make a list: The things to do before I get my ass nuked…
“The package is being provided through the presidential drawdown authority, which allows President Biden to arm Ukraine” — total crap. This is a proxy war, a war in which many humans are being slaughtered while US milindcomplex participants get richer. Surely this is illegal; certainly immoral.
They get richer because millions of idiots pay taxes.
Slava Raytheon ! Slava Northrop Grumman ! Slava Lockheed Martin ! Slava General Dynamics !
Ukraine ? Where is this place ?
Awful while America is crumbling 😡
These acts are in essence “letters of marque” which have been approved by Congress as demanded by our constitution. I am not supporting it but am commenting on the vehicle.
Earlier presidents issued such letters to combat the British Navy. Biden issues them to combat Putin.
Millions for death and destruction but not one red cent for the citizens of the US who are crying for help in these dangerous.times.At last we see what America is all about,not welfare of the people but warfare for profit and against Russia.Same old story,it never changes.China and Iran are next in line for our benevelence.Will the World survive?