The Department of Defense recently announced the 66th round of security assistance for Ukraine, totaling $375 million in equipment drawn from the existing U.S. military inventory. This package includes various items such as air-to-ground munitions, artillery ammunition, anti-armor systems, and armored security vehicles. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the United States has committed a total of approximately $56.3 billion in security assistance to Ukraine through both presidential drawdown authority and the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.
In addition to the recent assistance announcement, the White House has directed the DOD to allocate all remaining security assistance funding appropriated for Ukraine by the end of the year. President Biden stated that $5.5 billion in presidential drawdown authority has been authorized to ensure that this funding does not expire, allowing the administration to fully utilize the appropriated funds to support the drawdown of U.S. equipment for Ukraine and replenish U.S. stockpiles. The DOD will also provide $2.4 billion in security assistance through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which will include additional air defense resources, unmanned aerial systems, and air-to-ground munitions.
To further enhance Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, President Biden has directed the DOD to refurbish and provide an additional Patriot air defense battery and Patriot missiles. Additionally, the U.S. will provide Ukraine with the Joint Standoff Weapon long-range munition. While the U.S. has not agreed to provide F-16 fighter aircraft to Ukraine, other nations have done so. However, the U.S. is supporting the training of Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 and plans to expand this training by supporting an additional 18 pilots next year.
Overall, the U.S. government remains committed to supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression. The recent announcement of additional security assistance reflects this commitment and aims to bolster Ukraine’s military capabilities. The ongoing support from the U.S. includes a combination of equipment drawdowns, financial assistance, and training programs to ensure that Ukraine has the resources and capabilities necessary to defend itself against external threats. President Biden’s directive to allocate all remaining security assistance funding for Ukraine by the end of the year underscores the importance of this support in the face of ongoing conflict in the region.
