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On November 4, the US Department of Defence announced another military aid package to Ukraine. The approximately $400 million worth package will be provided within the framework of the USAI (Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative).
Unlike Presidential Drawdown authority (PDA), “which DoD has continued to leverage to deliver equipment to Ukraine from DoD stocks at a historic pace”, USAI is an authority under which the funds will be used to purchase equipment, arms, and ammunition directly from U.S. defense contractors.
Unlike PDA transfers, which are carried out over a short period (days-weeks), here we have rather a part of long-term plans, the implementation of which is envisaged in the future, including through PDA packages.
The USAI, in collaboration with the United States Department of State, already supports a wide range of security assistance activities, including, but not limited to, intelligence support, personnel training, equipment and logistics support, supplies, and other services.
On november 4, the US DoD launched a contracting process to provide additional priority capabilities to Ukraine. The latest $400 million worth package includes:
- Funding to refurbish HAWK air defense missiles for inclusion in future Presidential Drawdown packages. Funding to refurbish HAWK missiles will complement Spain’s recent commitment of HAWK launchers to help Ukraine meet the threat of Russian air attacks.
- 45 Refurbished T-72B Tanks with advanced optics, communications, and armor packages. The overhauled T-72B tanks included in this package are part of a trilateral, coordinated effort with the Netherlands and Czech Republic. Alongside the United States, the Netherlands will provide 45 additional T-72B Tanks with the support of the Czech Ministry of Defense and in cooperation with Czech industry. According to the Pentagon representative, some of these tanks will be transferred to Ukraine since the end of December. The deliveries are expected to be completed by next year.
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- 1,100 Phoenix Ghost Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems;
- 40 Armored Riverine Boats;
- Funding to refurbish 250 M1117 Armored Security Vehicles;
- Tactical secure communications systems and surveillance systems; and
- Funding for training, maintenance, and sustainment.
The last US military aid package was announced on October 28. It included $ 275 million for the purchase of MLRS HIMARS and 155-millimeter howitzers.
The US DoD reported that since January 2021, the United States has invested more than $18.9 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, including approximately $18.2 billion since February 24. “Since 2014, the United States has provided approximately $21 billion in security assistance for training and equipment to help Ukraine preserve its territorial integrity, secure its borders, and improve interoperability with NATO.”
United States security assistance committed to Ukraine includes:
- Over 1,400 Stinger anti-aircraft systems;
- Over 8,500 Javelin anti-armor systems;
- Over 38,000 other anti-armor systems;
- Over 700 Switchblade Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems;
- 142 155mm Howitzers and up to 903,000 155mm artillery rounds;
- 3,500 precision-guided 155mm artillery rounds;
- 9,000 155mm rounds of Remote Anti-Armor Mine (RAAM) Systems;
- 36 105mm Howitzers and 180,000 105mm artillery rounds;
- 276 Tactical Vehicles to tow weapons;
- 22 Tactical Vehicles to recover equipment;
- 38 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and ammunition;
- 20 120mm mortar systems and 115,000 120mm mortar rounds;
- 1,500 Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles;
- Four Command Post vehicles;
- Eight National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and munitions;
- Funding to refurbish HAWK air defense missiles for inclusion in future President Drawdown packages;
- High-speed Anti-radiation missiles (HARMs);
- 20 Mi-17 helicopters;
- Hundreds of Armored High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs);
- 44 trucks and 88 trailers to transport heavy equipment;
- 45 Refurbished T-72B Tanks with advance optics, communications, and armor packages;
- 200 M113 Armored Personnel Carriers;
- 440 MaxxPro Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles;
- Funding to refurbish 250 M1117 Armored Security Vehicles provided via Excess Defense Articles;
- Mine clearing equipment and systems;
- Over 10,000 grenade launchers and small arms;
- Over 64,000,000 rounds of small arms ammunition;
- Over 75,000 sets of body armor and helmets;
- Approximately 1,800 Phoenix Ghost Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems;
- Laser-guided rocket systems;
- Puma Unmanned Aerial Systems;
- 15 Scan Eagle Unmanned Aerial Systems;
- Two radars for Unmanned Aerial Systems;
- Unmanned Coastal Defense Vessels;
- Over 50 counter-artillery radars;
- Four counter-mortar radars;
- 20 multi-mission radars;
- Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems;
- Ten air surveillance radars;
- Four satellite communications antennas.
- Two harpoon coastal defense systems;
- 58 coastal and riverine patrol boats;
- M18A1 Claymore anti-personnel munitions;
- C-4 explosives, demolition munitions, and demolition equipment for obstacle clearing;
- Obstacle emplacement equipment;
- Tactical secure communications systems;
- Four satellite communications antennas;
- Thousands of night vision devices, surveillance systems, thermal imagery systems, optics, and laser rangefinders;
- Commercial satellite imagery services;
- Explosive ordnance disposal equipment and protective gear;
- Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear protective equipment;
- 100 armored medical treatment vehicles;
- Medical supplies to include first aid kits, bandages, monitors, and other equipment;
- Electronic jamming equipment;
- Field equipment, cold weather gear, and spare parts;
- Funding for training, maintenance, and sustainment.
As of September 9, 2022, nearly 50 other countries have provided security assistance to Ukraine. Their contributions to Ukraine, include 10 long-range Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS), 178 long-range artillery systems, nearly 100,000 rounds of long-range artillery ammunition, nearly 250,000 anti-tank munitions, 359 tanks, 629 armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), 8,214 short-range air defense missiles, and 88 lethal UAVs. Since February 24, Ukraine has been provided with their assistance of approximately $13 billion.
