New Delhi: In a continued show of support for Ukraine’s war efforts against the Russian invasion, the United States announced an additional security package for Ukraine amounting to 775 million dollars on top of its previous military support since 2014.
This is the 19th Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) package that the US Defence Department has provided Ukraine since August 2021.
Announced by Defence Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III Saturday, the new package features ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). The US had sent eight HIMARS — which significantly boosted Ukraine’s defence against Russian arms depots — at the end of June this year with the promise of sending in four more.
It also features 16 105mm Howitzers accompanied with 36,000 105mm artillery rounds, 15 Scan Eagle Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), 40 mine resistant vehicles, 50 armoured vehicles, 1500 Tube-Launched, Optically Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles and demolition munitions, among others.
“[The package] includes a mix of capabilities — some new, some the Ukrainians have been using very effectively. As Russia’s unprovoked invasion enters its sixth month, our commitment to Ukraine remains unwavering,” Austin tweeted Saturday.
We just announced another Ukraine ?? security assistance package.
It includes a mix of capabilities — some new, some the Ukrainians have been using very effectively. As Russia’s unprovoked invasion enters its sixth month, our commitment to Ukraine remains unwavering. pic.twitter.com/uQqexjqAju
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) August 20, 2022
HIMARS — a key defence against Russia
The introduction of the American-made HIMARS to Ukraine’s arsenal had proved to be particularly important to Ukraine’s resistance against Russia, with the Moscow Times reporting in July that HIMARS usage has been effective in “damaging Russian military positions”.
“HIMARS can hit targets up to 70 kilometers away, meaning Ukrainian troops can deploy the wheeled, high-tech lightweight rocket launcher outside the range of most Russian artillery. Reports from authorities in separatist- and Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine also indicate that attacks are becoming both more frequent, and more deadly,” the report added.
US’ military aid to Ukraine
This latest round of military assistance forms part of a long history of US support to Ukraine. Some of these date back to Ukraine’s independence from the former Soviet Union three decades before.
However, the US’ position changed significantly in 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of war in Donbas, and again on 24 February this year as Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
“In total, the United States has now committed approximately 9.8 billion dollars in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden Administration. Since 2014, the United States has committed more than 11.8 billion dollars in security assistance to Ukraine,” ANI reported.
As such, the Biden Administration’s policy appears to be in resonance with the views of the United States Congress, which had approved a 40 billion dollar aid package to Ukraine in May to last until 30 September and in turn, spearhead NATO’s assistance to the war-torn nation.
“The aid package provides $19 billion for immediate military support to Ukraine, continuing the effort that has been vital to sustaining Ukrainian resistance, and $3.9 billion to sustain U.S. forces deployed to Europe. The package also contains about $16 billion for economic support to Ukraine, global humanitarian relief, and a wide variety of international programs as well as $2 billion for long-term support to NATO allies and DOD modernization programs,” the think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies had reported about the Congress-approved package.
(Edited by Rewati Karan)
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