WASHINGTON: The United States is readying more than $2 billion in military aid to Ukraine, expected for the first time to include long-range missiles as well as other weapons and ammunition, two US officials Ky informed about the matter told Reuters on Tuesday.
Officials said the aid is expected to be announced as soon as this week. They are also expected to include support equipment for Patriot air defense systems, precision-guided munitions and Javelin anti-tank weapons.
One of the officials said part of the package, expected to be worth $1.725 billion, would come from a fund called the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which allows the President to Joe Bidengovernment to obtain weapons from industry rather than from the arsenals of the United States.
The USAI funds will be used to purchase a new weapon, the Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) manufactured by Boeing Co, which has a range of 94 miles (150 km). The United States rejected Ukraine’s request for an ATACMS missile with a range of 185 miles (297 km).
The longer range of the GLSDB glider bomb could allow Ukraine to hit targets that are out of reach and help it continue to step up counterattacks by disrupting Russia behind the front lines.
Reuters first reported on Boeing’s proposal for the GLSDB sector to Ukraine in November. At the expected time, the GLSDB could be available in Ukraine in the spring.
GLSDB is implemented by SAAB AB and Boeing. It combines the GBU-39 small-diameter bomb (SDB) with an M26 rocket engine, both of which are common in US inventory.
According to SAAB’s website, the GLSDB is GPS-guided, can defeat some electronic jammers, is usable in all weather conditions, and can be used against armored vehicles. . The GBU-39 – which will act as the GLSDB’s warhead – has small, folded wings that allow it to glide more than 100km if dropped from an aircraft and hit targets as small as 3 feet (1 meter) in diameter. .
USAI funds will also be used to pay for more components of HAWK air defense systems, anti-drone systems, airborne surveillance radars and artillery, communications equipment, and airborne aircraft. PUMA riders and spare parts for major systems like Patriot and Bradley, one of the officials said.
There was also a substantial amount of medical equipment – enough to equip three field hospitals donated by another ally, the official added.
The White House declined to comment. The content and size of aid packages are subject to change until they are signed by the president.
In addition to USAI funds, more than $400 million in aid is expected to come from Presidential Withdrawal Agency funds, which allow the president to draw from existing U.S. stockpiles during the year. emergency situation.
That aid is expected to include mine-resistant ambush protection (MRAP) vehicles, guided multiple-launch missile systems (GMLRS) and ammunition.
The United States has sent about $27.2 billion worth of security assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Russia called the invasion a “special operation.”
Officials said the aid is expected to be announced as soon as this week. They are also expected to include support equipment for Patriot air defense systems, precision-guided munitions and Javelin anti-tank weapons.
One of the officials said part of the package, expected to be worth $1.725 billion, would come from a fund called the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which allows the President to Joe Bidengovernment to obtain weapons from industry rather than from the arsenals of the United States.
The USAI funds will be used to purchase a new weapon, the Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) manufactured by Boeing Co, which has a range of 94 miles (150 km). The United States rejected Ukraine’s request for an ATACMS missile with a range of 185 miles (297 km).
The longer range of the GLSDB glider bomb could allow Ukraine to hit targets that are out of reach and help it continue to step up counterattacks by disrupting Russia behind the front lines.
Reuters first reported on Boeing’s proposal for the GLSDB sector to Ukraine in November. At the expected time, the GLSDB could be available in Ukraine in the spring.
GLSDB is implemented by SAAB AB and Boeing. It combines the GBU-39 small-diameter bomb (SDB) with an M26 rocket engine, both of which are common in US inventory.
According to SAAB’s website, the GLSDB is GPS-guided, can defeat some electronic jammers, is usable in all weather conditions, and can be used against armored vehicles. . The GBU-39 – which will act as the GLSDB’s warhead – has small, folded wings that allow it to glide more than 100km if dropped from an aircraft and hit targets as small as 3 feet (1 meter) in diameter. .
USAI funds will also be used to pay for more components of HAWK air defense systems, anti-drone systems, airborne surveillance radars and artillery, communications equipment, and airborne aircraft. PUMA riders and spare parts for major systems like Patriot and Bradley, one of the officials said.
There was also a substantial amount of medical equipment – enough to equip three field hospitals donated by another ally, the official added.
The White House declined to comment. The content and size of aid packages are subject to change until they are signed by the president.
In addition to USAI funds, more than $400 million in aid is expected to come from Presidential Withdrawal Agency funds, which allow the president to draw from existing U.S. stockpiles during the year. emergency situation.
That aid is expected to include mine-resistant ambush protection (MRAP) vehicles, guided multiple-launch missile systems (GMLRS) and ammunition.
The United States has sent about $27.2 billion worth of security assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Russia called the invasion a “special operation.”
