Biden announces $800 million additional military aid for Ukraine

Europe, News, US March 17, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

United States to send 800 more anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine

U.S. President Joe Biden on March 16 announced new military assistance for Ukraine that will include anti-aircraft defense systems, drones and other weapons to fend off the Russian forces. This brings the total new U.S. aid for Ukraine to $1 billion over the past week.

The fresh U.S. support comes in response to an urgent plea from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who delivered an impassioned plea to the U.S. Congress on March 16 morning for additional support and to spearhead the world’s defense of Ukraine.

“This new package on its own will provide unprecedented assistance to Ukraine. It includes 800 anti-aircraft systems to make sure the Ukrainian military can continue to defend Ukrainian airspace against the planes and helicopters that are attacking their people,” Biden said.

The aid also includes 9,000 shoulder-mounted anti-armor missile systems to destroy tanks, 7,000 small arms, including guns and grenade launchers, and 20 million rounds of ammunition, Biden said. He said drones were also included “which demonstrates our commitment to sending our most cutting-edge systems to Ukraine for its defense.”

^{U.S. President Joe Biden with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley as he signs the legislation to send security aid to Ukraine on March 16, 2022. (Image Credit: Tom Brenner/Reuters)}

The new $800 million assistance package includes:

800 Stinger anti-aircraft systems;
2,000 Javelin, 1,000 light anti-armor weapons, and 6,000 AT-4 anti-armor systems;
100 Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems;
100 grenade launchers, 5,000 rifles, 1,000 pistols, 400 machine guns, and 400 shotguns;
Over 20 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenade launcher and mortar rounds;
25,000 sets of body armor; and
25,000 helmets.

In addition to the new security aid, the United States previously committed several weapons to Ukraine including more than 600 Stinger anti-aircraft systems, approximately 2,600 Javelin anti-armor systems, five Mi-17 helicopters, 70 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) and other vehicles, four counter-artillery and counter-unmanned aerial system tracking radars, four counter-mortar radar systems.

The U.S. also agreed to provide Ukraine around 200 grenade launchers and ammunition, 200 shotguns and 200 machine guns, nearly 40 million rounds of small arms ammunition and over 1 million grenade, mortar, and artillery rounds, secure communications, electronic warfare detection systems, body armor, helmets, and other tactical gear as well as explosive ordnance disposal and demining equipment and satellite imagery and analysis capability.

At least 30 countries have provided security assistance to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began on February 24, 2022.

I’m once again using my presidential authority to activate emergency security assistance to continue helping Ukraine fend off Russia’s assault.

An additional $800 million.

That brings the total in new U.S. security assistance to Ukraine to $1 billion just this week.
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 16, 2022