The US announces a $988 million military aid package for Ukraine

The U.S. Department of Defense has announced a $988 million military aid package for Ukraine.

The U.S. Department of Defense reported on this.

The aid package includes ammunition for HIMARS rocket systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, and logistical support. The latter includes spare parts to maintain, repair, and overhaul artillery systems, tanks, and armored vehicles.

This assistance almost halves the available funds under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which before the announcement of this package, amounted to $2.21 billion.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the announced package will be the 22nd aid package for Ukraine under the USAI (Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative) program, under which weapons will be ordered from manufacturers rather than transferred from the U.S. Armed Forces.

The announcement of this assistance took place during the annual Reagan National Defense Forum in California.

In total, despite the small balance of funds under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, President Biden has $6 billion at his disposal that he can allocate within his presidential authority.

In addition, given the funds allocated in 2024, as well as additional resources identified by the Pentagon after reassessing the value of weapons already transferred to Ukraine, the United States has available financial resources to support Ukraine.

Reuters previously reported that U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration is preparing a $725 million weapons package for Ukraine.

A variety of weapons will be transferred from the U.S. Army stockpiles under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA).

This authority allows the US President to use current stockpiles of weapons to help allies.

The new military aid package for Ukraine is expected to include a variety of anti-tank weapons and anti-personnel mines.