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On July 1, the Biden administration announced new security assistance to Ukraine in a package worth a total of about $ 820 million.
This assistance includes approval of the Presidential Drawdown (PDA) for security assistance worth up to $ 50 million and $ 770 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) Fund. The PDA is the 14th weapon and equipment drawdown from the Department of Defense inventory since August 2021.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, the United States has promised Ukraine a total of about $ 6.92 billion in military aid to fight Russian troops. Prior to the invasion, since 2014, the United States has promised Ukraine about $ 1.8 billion in weapons and military training, of which $ 700 million came from the Biden administration.
The latest $ 820 million aid package was widely announced by President Joe Biden at a press conference Thursday in Madrid. This was the third and final day of the NATO summit, which focused on the Russian-Ukraine war.
“We will support Ukraine as long as we need it,” Biden added. “The United States is giving Ukrainians” capacity “so that they can continue to resist the Russian invasion.”
Two surface-to-air missile systems
The Pentagon has published a more comprehensive publication The announcement was officially announced on Friday. The USAI Foundation, the latest aid package, provides Ukraine with two National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), a Norwegian-developed anti-aircraft missile system used to protect the airspace around the White House and Parliament. Said. In Washington.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video speech on Friday night: An aircraft missile system that greatly enhances air defense. We have worked hard for these supplies. “
The USAI Foundation will also provide up to 150,000 155mm shells and four additional counter-battery radars.
The counter-battery radar being transmitted was the Raytheon Technologies AN / TPQ-37 system, and defense officials told the media, Reuters reported. This is the first time these systems have been sent to Ukraine, which has about three times the scope of the previously sent AN / TPQ-36 system.
Radar requires at least a few weeks for a defense company to build. Ukrainians are also trained to use the newly provided system.
The package also includes additional ammunition for the High Mobile Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) provided by PDA certification. The Pentagon provided Ukraine with a medium-range rocket system in June.
Much of the aid takes weeks or months to reach Ukraine.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken Said in a statement Following the announcement of aid, “The United States is preparing to commemorate our independence, so we continue to commit to Ukraine’s independence, security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Mimi Nguyen Ly is an Australian-based reporter. She covers world news with a focus on US news. Contact her at [email protected]
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