US Announces $400 Million Security Aid Package to Ukraine

This day, the Department of Defense (DoD) approves the command of the President to reduce security aid in order to satisfy Ukraine's essential security and defense requirements.[0] This package offers a greater amount of ammunition and related equipment to aid Ukraine in its precision fires, artillery, and armored vehicle operations.[1] The Biden Administration has made its thirty-third drawdown of equipment from the Department of Defense inventories for Ukraine as of August 2021, with a value of up to $400 million.[1]

The US government has concluded the year with an announcement that more than $32 billion in arms and assistance has been provided to Ukraine by the Biden administration.[2] The Pentagon reported a total of 1,600 Stinger anti-aircraft systems, 8,500 Javelin anti-armor systems, 232 howitzers, over two million rounds of artillery ammunition, 38 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) with ammunition, a Patriot air-defense battery, eight National Advanced Surface-to Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and other related air-defense capabilities, 109 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, 31 Abrams tanks, and 90 Stryker Armored Personnel Carriers.[2]

The package includes extra ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), plus additional 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds.

On Friday, the United States declared a $400 million security assistance package for Ukraine, which will include more ammo, gear and munitions to aid Kyiv in its struggle against Russia.[3] The package includes additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS); additional 155mm artillery rounds; additional 105mm artillery rounds; and additional 25 mm ammunition.

Since Russia started its attack in 2014, the U.S. has provided Ukraine with over $32 billion in military aid.[4] Since August 2021, the United States has provided Ukraine with weapons from its stockpiles 33 times, according to the State Department.[5]

The US affirmed that they would work alongside their Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with whatever it needs to address its current and upcoming security needs, and that they will do so for as long as necessary. This was stated in a recent announcement.[6]

The Biden Administration also announced an additional $2 billion aid package for Ukraine including Switchblade Kamikaze drones and a new wave of sanctions on Russia on the first anniversary of Putin's invasion.[7]

0. “DOD Authorizes $400M Package of Additional Support Provisions for Ukraine” Executive Gov, 3 Mar. 2023, https://executivegov.com/2023/03/dod-authorizes-400m-package-of-additional-support-provisions-for-ukraine

1. “33rd Drawdown of Equipment from DoD Inventories for Ukraine Since August 2021 Valued at Up to $400 Million – HS …” HSToday, 4 Mar. 2023, https://www.hstoday.us/ukraine/33rd-drawdown-of-equipment-from-dod-inventories-for-ukraine-since-august-2021-valued-at-up-to-400-million/

2. “Marking 1 year of Ukraine war, US pledges $2B in weapons, including new drone types” Breaking Defense, 24 Feb. 2023, https://breakingdefense.com/2023/02/marking-one-year-of-ukraine-war-us-pledges-2b-in-weapons-including-new-drone-types/

3. “Ukraine war: US sends Kyiv more ammunition amid fears stocks running short” BBC, 3 Mar. 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64837699

4. “$400 Million In Weapons Aid For Ukraine Includes Ammunition And Portable Armored Bridges” News On 6, 3 Mar. 2023, https://www.newson6.com/story/640246b4338a7208bc30d635/400-million-in-weapons-aid-for-ukraine-includes-ammunition-and-portable-armored-bridges

5. “US to send bridge-launching vehicles for tank deployments to Ukraine in new $400M aid package” Stars and Stripes, 3 Mar. 2023, https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2023-03-03/ukraine-military-aid-russia-9341695.html

6. “$2 Billion Aid Package To Procure Advanced Defense Technology to Ukraine” The Debrief, 28 Feb. 2023, https://thedebrief.org/2-billion-aid-package-to-procure-advanced-defense-technology-to-ukraine/

7. “Biden Administration Unveils $10 Billion Ukraine Aid Package As War Enters 2nd Year” Forbes, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/02/24/biden-administration-unveils-10-billion-ukraine-aid-package-as-war-enters-2nd-year/