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U.S. Taps Existing Stockpiles to Send $250-Million Weapons Aid to Ukraine
In order to send an additional $250 million in weaponry and ammunition to Ukraine as part of its ongoing support for Kiev, the Biden administration revealed on Tuesday that it will look into its existing stockpiles.
According to the State Department, among other things including spare parts, the drawdown from Military inventory will include mine-clearing gear, artillery and rocket rounds, ambulances and medical supplies.
“The U.S. will continue to work with its allies and partners to provide Ukraine with the capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield needs and longer-term security assistance requirements,” deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters Tuesday during a press conference.
Singh told reporters she didn't have the numbers on hand but is “confident that we have enough money to meet Ukraine's need through the fiscal year” when asked how much of the previously approved Congressional monies were still available.
“But, as you know, there’s been a request for a supplemental. And we’re hopeful that the Congress will approve a supplemental package for Ukraine,” she said.
According to the State Department, the shipment included more than three million rounds of small arms ammunition, 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System bombs, and AIM-9M air defense missiles.
Previous shipments have also contained cluster bombs.
Around $43.7 billion in security assistance has been pledged by the Biden administration to Ukraine, the majority of which has been paid for by the $48.7 billion in supplementary appropriations granted by Congress during the previous two fiscal years.
According to Breitbart News, President Joe Biden already acknowledged that this had a significant effect on the United States' munitions reserves.
Following the announcement on Tuesday, Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, tweeted his appreciation.
“I am grateful to all American people, the Congress and personally to President Joe Biden for the new defense assistance package for Ukraine,” Zelensky said.
“Artillery, missiles, ammunition for HIMARS, de-mining equipment — that’s what our warriors need. Freedom needs protection, and this protection is growing strong.”
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