US announces $3.75 billion worth largest military package for Ukraine

Europe, News, US January 9, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

The United States Department of Defense unveiled the country’s largest military aid package for Ukraine, worth $3.75 billion. The package would provide long-term financial support and replenish weapons stockpiles for Ukraine and its neighboring European allies.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Laura Cooper said on January 6, that “The war in Ukraine is at a critical point right now, and we have to do everything we can to help the Ukrainians continue to resist Russian aggression.”

The latest military aid package largely consists of weapons and equipment from the U.S. inventories valued at up to $2.85 billion and there is an additional $225 million in foreign military financing to contribute to the long-term capacity and modernization of Ukraine’s military.

The package includes at least 50 M2-A2 Bradley Armored Fighting Vehicles for the Ukrainian military. The armored vehicles can transport infantry troops into the combat zones with armor protection. These vehicles can also provide covering fire to suppress enemy attacks. The provision of high-tech personnel transport vehicles indicates that Ukrainian forces want to carry out a large-scale mobilization during the winter months before spring sets in and an expected increase in fighting begins.

Laura Cooper told reporters at the Pentagon “These capabilities will complement and work with the expanded U.S.-led training beginning this month that will build Ukraine’s capacity to conduct joint maneuver and combined operations.”

“We will ensure Ukraine has both the equipment and the skilled force necessary to sustain its efforts to push back on Russian aggression,” Cooper added.

Apart from the Bradley vehicles, the package also includes the following equipment:

100 M113 Armored Personnel Carriers
55 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles
138 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (Humvees)
18 155 mm self-propelled Howitzers and 18 ammunition support vehicles
70,000 155 mm artillery rounds
500 precision-guided 155 mm artillery rounds
1,200 155 mm rounds of Remote Anti-Armor Mine Systems
36 105 mm towed Howitzers and 95,000 105 mm artillery rounds
10,000 120 mm mortar rounds
Approximately 2,000 anti-armor rockets

The U.S. will also send additional ammunition for the HIMARS air defense systems, as well as RIM-7 and 4,000 Zuni aircraft rockets. The Pentagon will supply Ukraine with sniper rifles, machine guns, ammunition for grenade launchers and small arms, as well as night vision devices, spare parts, clothing, and other field equipment.

ALSO READ: United States to provide 50 Bradley fighting vehicles to Ukraine

*^{M2A4 Bradley Fighting Vehicle with M242 25 mm Automatic Cannon. (Image Credit: U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center)}*

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy released a short video message on social media where he expressed his gratitude to U.S. President Joe Biden for the largest and “very powerful” security package.

Zelenskyy said that “Today a new one [military package] was announced, and a very powerful one! A package of American defense support for our country. For the first time, we will receive armored vehicles Bradleys, this is exactly what is needed.”