The Biden administration on Monday announced a new $725 million weapons package for Ukraine, which includes anti-personnel mines, ammunition for the HIMARS rocket systems, and other equipment.
President Biden just recently approved the provision of anti-personnel mines for Ukraine, a step that goes against his own policy meant to limit the use of the indiscriminate weapon. In 2022, Biden re-implemented an Obama-era policy that prohibited the transfer and use of US anti-personnel mines outside of the Korean Peninsula.
Biden’s decision to send the mines has been condemned by arms control groups and many countries that are signatories to a treaty banning the weapon. The mines, which are designed to kill or maim people, have been banned by 164 countries under the Ottawa Treaty. The US and Russia are not signatories, but Ukraine is and has been in violation of the treaty.
According to The Associated Press, the purpose of the mines is for Ukraine to use them inside Russian territory in the Kursk Oblast, where Russian troops are gradually pushing out an invading Ukrainian force.
The provision of ammunition for the HIMARS systems means the US could be sending more Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), which have a range of about 190 miles and are fired by the HIMARS. Two US officials who spoke to the AP wouldn’t confirm if the new package includes ATACMS.
According to the Pentagon, the $725 million package includes:
- Munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS)
- Stinger missiles
- Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (c-UAS) munitions
- Ammunition for HIMARS
- 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition
- Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
- Non-persistent land mines
- Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) missiles
- Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems
- Small arms and ammunition
- Demolitions equipment and munitions
- Equipment to protect critical national infrastructure
- Spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training, and transportation
The Biden administration is looking to flood Ukraine with as many weapons as it can before President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated on January 20, 2025. President Biden has asked Congress to authorize another $24 billion for the proxy war before he leaves office, which would bring total US spending on the conflict to at least $210 billion.
