In a significant move aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities, the United States is poised to unveil a new weapons contract valued at approximately $6 billion, as reported by Politico on April 25, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The decision comes on the heels of U.S. President Joe Biden’s recent approval of a long-awaited foreign aid bill, allocating nearly $61 billion in assistance to Ukraine. Drawing from these funds, the upcoming weapons package is expected to encompass a range of military equipment, including Patriot air defense systems, artillery, drones, counter-drone weapons, and air-to-air missiles.
While the contract is anticipated to be finalized as early as April 26, the weapons themselves are not expected to reach Ukraine for several years. This delay is due to the allocation of funds under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which mandates the production of new supplies by U.S. defense companies rather than drawing from existing U.S. stocks.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is slated to unveil the aid package during the upcoming meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) on April 26, to be conducted virtually. This gathering marks the two-year anniversary of the first summit held at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
In addition to the long-term aid, Kyiv will also receive immediate assistance in the form of a $1 billion package announced on April 24. This rapid response follows Biden’s signing of the foreign aid bill and underscores the U.S. commitment to supporting Ukraine amidst ongoing security challenges.
Recent reports by The New York Times revealed that the U.S. discreetly shipped over 100 long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine last week, highlighting efforts to address critical shortages in ammunition and air defense systems faced by Ukrainian forces.
The delays in military aid have been cited as contributing factors to battlefield setbacks, underscoring the urgency of bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities in the face of ongoing security threats.