The United States government, under the Biden administration, has recently announced a substantial increase of $2.7 billion in military aid for Ukraine, with promises of even more aid to follow. This significant financial injection aims to bolster Kyiv’s air defense capabilities significantly. However, a sizeable portion of the aid is allocated to long-term contracts for weapons that may not be immediately available for use on the battlefield.
Among the allocations in the $2.4 billion long-term assistance package unveiled before meetings between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris is the provision of another Patriot missile battery and supplementary munitions for the system. Patriots are crucial air defense systems utilized by the U.S. military worldwide to safeguard American forces and allies.
The aid is part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which supports longer-term contracts. In addition to this, a $375 million package of more immediate aid was also announced recently, including glide bombs embedded with cluster munitions, an assortment of rockets, missiles, and artillery. This immediate assistance is facilitated through the presidential drawdown authority, permitting the Pentagon to swiftly deploy supplies to Ukraine’s front lines.
The total value of weapons and security assistance provided by the U.S. to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022 now stands close to $60 billion. For perspective, the U.S. spent $60.6 billion from 2003 to 2012 in funding Iraq’s security forces and civilian rebuilding efforts.
The latest military aid to Ukraine encompasses a mix of immediate weapons and longer-term support. For the first time, the U.S. will be sending Ukraine the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW), a glide bomb designed to enhance Ukraine’s long-range capabilities. The aid package also includes ammunition for various artillery systems, anti-armor systems, armored vehicles, patrol boats, and more.
A significant portion of the aid is earmarked for longer-term contracts aimed at ensuring a sustained flow of weapons in the coming months and years. These contracts will facilitate the procurement of additional air defense systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, and air-to-ground munitions. The Defense Department will also provide drone components to Ukraine to bolster its capacity to assemble and manufacture its systems.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted that the support would enable Ukraine to produce an additional 10,000 drones over the next six months. Apart from the aid announced, President Biden has instructed the Pentagon to expand the training program for Ukrainian pilots to operate F-16 fighter jets and has allocated funds for training an additional 18 pilots next year. Some Ukrainian pilots have received training at a National Guard base in Arizona to operate the F-16, as all interfaces in the aircraft are in English.
Tragically, a recently received F-16 from Western partners by Ukraine crashed during a Russian bombardment last month, resulting in the pilot’s death. Efforts are also underway to train Ukrainian aviators with basic flying skills to enhance their expertise through programs with partner nations. Overall, the aid package and training initiatives are pivotal in strengthening Ukraine’s military capabilities in the face of ongoing tensions and conflict.