The United States expects to include long-range missiles in Ukraine’s new security package worth about $2.2 billion. According to several senior administration officials and U.S. officials.
The package would include an obligation to provide ground-launched small-diameter bombs. It is a guided missile with a range of 90 miles (145 kilometers) to Ukraine, two officials said.
Although the missile effectively doubled the firing range of Ukrainian weapons, But this package does not include the long-sought ATACMS missile with a range in excess of 200 miles. The United States has consistently declined. Ukraine’s request for that system was due to concerns it could be used to hit targets deep within Russia.
This is the first security package since the United States. Pledged to supply Ukraine with advanced M-1 Abrams tanks in January. It was a joint decision with European countries to procure German-made Leopard 2 tanks.
That package could be announced as early as Friday. That would be split into $500 million worth of weapons and equipment pulled directly from U.S. inventory, and about $1.7 billion in supplies purchased from military contractors. Also known as the Ukrainian Security Assistance Program (USAI).
The details of the package are first report by Reuters
On Tuesday, White House spokeswoman Olivia Dalton said more security assistance to Ukraine would be announced “very soon,” without providing further details.
Some background: The small-diameter ground-launched bomb, fired from a HIMARS rocket launcher, has a range of about 90 miles, according to Saab, a joint weapons company with Boeing.
This is more than twice the range of the GMLRS munitions that Ukraine currently launches from the HIMARS rocket launcher.
But new weapons will not arrive in Ukraine immediately. Since it does not come directly from the US inventory, the US will contract with arms manufacturers to supply Ukraine with long-range missiles. This process can take weeks or months.
The package also includes ammunition for artillery and HIMARS, as well as support systems and equipment for the Patriot missile system, one official said. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have not completed training on the Patriot system. at Fort Sill, Oklahoma — But the US is making sure transportation and maintenance are in good shape before the first Patriot batteries go into operation in Ukraine. the official said
Within the last month, the United States announced three of its largest aid packages to Ukraine. to show continued support as the war nears its one-year anniversary
