A Soldier backs an M32 Bradley fighting vehicle right into a C-17 cargo bay guideded by Master Sgt. Krystopher Schwandt, loadmaster, for transport back to Fort Benning GA. Sept. 19, 2012.
Photo: Tech. Sgt. Michael OHalloran | U.S. Army | FlickrCC
WASHINGTON – The Biden administration announced nearly $3.8 billion in security assistance for Ukraine and European allies on Friday, Washington’s largest package since Russia’s full-scale invasion began nearly a 12 months ago.
The upcoming military aid package, the twenty ninth such tranche, brings U.S. commitment to Ukraine’s fight to about $24.9 billion because the starting of the Biden administration.
The help includes $2.9 billion in weapons to be provided immediately to Ukraine and $225 million in long-term financing to support Ukraine’s military. The package also includes $682 million in foreign military financing to rebuild the arsenals of European allies.
The $2.85 billion weapons package includes Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, artillery systems, armored personnel carriers, surface-to-air missiles and ammunition.
Recent to this aid package are 50 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, armored tracked vehicles manufactured by U.S. defense firm BAE Systems. Bradleys are typically equipped with a rotating turret, mounted 25mm gun and TOW anti-tank missiles. The U.S. will provide 500 TOW anti-tank missiles and 250,000 rounds of ammunition to be used with the Bradleys.
U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said it could take “a while” for the vehicles to get to Ukraine.
“What I can let you know is that we’re going to do it as fast as I can,” Kirby said when pressed for a timeline during a White House briefing.
He added that “it is not going to take very long” for Ukrainian forces to learn the way to use the vehicles when U.S. troops train them in a location outside of Ukraine.
Also included in the safety assistance package are:
- 100 M113 Armored Personnel Carriers
- 55 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles
- 138 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles
- 18 155mm self-propelled Howitzers and 18 ammunition support vehicles
- 70,000 155mm artillery rounds
- 500 precision-guided 155mm artillery rounds
- 1,200 155mm rounds of Distant Anti-Armor Mine Systems
- 36 105mm towed Howitzers and 95,000 105mm artillery rounds
- 10,000 120mm mortar rounds
- Roughly 2,000 anti-armor rockets
The U.S. will send additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, in addition to RIM-7 missiles for air defense and 4,000 Zuni aircraft rockets. The Pentagon may also supply Ukraine with sniper rifles, machine guns, ammunition for grenade launchers and small arms, in addition to night vision devices, spare parts and other field equipment.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked President Joe Biden for the “very powerful” security package during a video message on his official Telegram channel.
“Today a recent one was announced, and a really powerful one! A package of American defense support for our country. For the primary time, we are going to receive armored vehicles Bradleys, this is precisely what is required,” Zelenskyy said.
