A $725 million U.S. military aid package for Ukraine includes ammunition for HIMARS, 155 mm artillery shells, NASAMS missiles, Stinger missiles, and non-persistent landmines. This aid, part of a larger surge in assistance, comes as President Biden’s administration seeks to bolster Ukraine before the incoming Trump administration, which has pledged to end military aid to Ukraine. The package addresses immediate battlefield needs while raising concerns about future support given the incoming president’s stated intentions to halt aid and end the war swiftly. The U.S. has already provided over $60 billion in aid since the start of the full-scale invasion.
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Canada’s long-awaited NASAMS air defense system, purchased for over US$300 million, has been delivered to Ukraine. Minister Blair confirmed its arrival in Parliament, emphasizing its significance in protecting Ukrainian communities, though operational details remain undisclosed. This delivery fulfills a commitment made in January 2023, involving direct US sale to Ukraine following Canadian funding. The system’s deployment follows earlier assurances from Prime Minister Trudeau to President Zelenskyy.
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The Biden administration recently announced a substantial aid package for Ukraine, totaling around $1.7 billion. This new lethal aid package is primarily composed of missiles and ammunition for missile, artillery, and air defense systems that the US has previously provided to Ukraine. The commitment includes $1.5 billion in new weapons and equipment through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), as well as up to $200 million worth of weapons and equipment directly from US Department of Defense stockpiles. This marks the 20th USAI package and sixty-second tranche of equipment provided for Ukraine since August 2021.
One key aspect of this aid package includes missiles for Ukraine’s National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and ammunition for Ukraine’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker