Biden Authorizes Additional $550 Million Military Aid for Ukraine

The new aid package includes ammunition for HIMARS and ammunition for 150mm howitzers

President Biden on Monday authorized an additional $550 million in military aid for Ukraine, marking the 17th arms package the US has pledged since Russia invaded on February 24.

According to the Pentagon, the new package includes an unspecified amount of ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and 75,000 rounds of ammunition for the 150mm howitzers the US had previously sent to Ukraine.

The new aid was authorized by the presidential drawdown authority, which allows Biden to send Ukraine weapons and ammunition directly from US military stockpiles. The funds were pulled from the $40 billion Ukraine aid bill that Biden signed back in May, which is meant to last through September 30.

Also on Monday, Ukraine said it had received more US and German-made multiple rocket launch systems. So far, the US has pledged to send 16 HIMARS to Ukraine. Russia has said it destroyed half of the HIMARS Washington has sent, but the claim has not been verified.

The HIMARS that the US has sent Ukraine have a range of about 50 miles. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has repeatedly warned that the more the US and its allies send longer-range weapons like HIMARS, the more Ukrainian territory Russia will take.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.