- The US is today expected to confirm an extensive new package of military aid for Ukraine. It may include, for the first time, armoured vehicles that can launch bridges to allow troops to cross rivers.
- It is anticipated the new round of support will cost around $400m, US officials said overnight.
- It is possible the system could help Ukrainian troops ahead of an anticipated renewed offensive, making it easier for defenders to reach Russian troops.
- In total, the United States has committed more than $19.7 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden Administration.
- To meet Ukraine’s evolving battlefield requirements, the United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with key capabilities.
The US is today expected to confirm an extensive new package of military aid for Ukraine. It may include, for the first time, armoured vehicles that can launch bridges to allow troops to cross rivers. This is expected to include large amounts of ammunition, such as rockets for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems.
It is anticipated the new round of support will cost around $400m, US officials said overnight. It comes just a week after the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and as Ukrainian forces prepare for a spring offensive. The so-called Armoured Vehicle Launched Bridge is a portable, 60ft folding metal bridge that is carried on top of a tank body.
It is possible the system could help Ukrainian troops ahead of an anticipated renewed offensive, making it easier for defenders to reach Russian troops. However, it is unlikely it will include the F-16 war planes Ukraine has been asking for in the last few weeks.
Capabilities in this package may include:
- Additional munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS);
- 150 heavy machine guns with thermal imagery sights to counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS);
- Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
- 200 precision-guided 155mm artillery rounds;
- 10,000 120mm mortar rounds;
- High-speed Anti-radiation missiles (HARMs);
- 150 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs);
- Over 100 light tactical vehicles;
- Over 20,000,000 rounds of small arms ammunition;
- Over 200 generators;
- Spare parts for 105mm Howitzers and other equipment.
With Russia’s unrelenting and brutal missile and UAS attacks on Ukrainian critical energy infrastructure, additional air defence capabilities remain an urgent priority. The additional munitions for NASAMS and heavy machine guns will help Ukraine counter these urgent threats.
In total, the United States has committed more than $19.7 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden Administration. Since 2014, the United States has committed more than $21.8 billion in security assistance to Ukraine and more than $19 billion since the beginning of Russia’s unprovoked and brutal invasion on February 24.
To meet Ukraine’s evolving battlefield requirements, the United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with key capabilities.
