What Could $60 Billion in Aid for the Ukraine War Purchase?
TL/DR –
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a $60 billion aid package for Ukraine, which is expected to be passed by the Senate and signed into law by President Biden. The aid package will supply the Ukrainian war effort with much-needed defense systems, with a significant amount set aside to replenish U.S. defense stockpiles. American weapons will be shipped from the Pentagon’s stockpiles in Germany by rail to the Ukrainian border.
Ukraine to Receive US Weapon Shipments after Aid Package Approval
Sources reveal that upon House approval of a long-awaited aid package, Ukraine could soon see a resumption of American weapon shipments. These defense supplies will be dispatched from Pentagon stockpiles in Germany through rapid rail transport directly to the Ukrainian border. The military aid, worth around $60 billion, will significantly boost the Ukraine war effort, replenish US defense stocks, and enable the purchase of critical US defense systems.
Legislation, approved by the Senate and set to be endorsed by President Biden, will help combat shortages of vital munitions in Ukraine’s war against Russia, an issue that has previously caused significant strain on the front-line troops and impacted morale. Major General Patrick Ryder suggested the aid package would likely include more air-defense and artillery ammunition, but did not specify the exact weapons that would be deployed.
Delivery of the aid package, facilitated by the U.S. Transportation Command Headquarters, will involve cargo aircraft and maritime vessels. The process is streamlined by the coordinated efforts of the Security Assistance Group-Ukraine, an organization established in 2022 with a staff of about 300 personnel, that operates within the Pentagon’s European Command.
The US military has supplied Ukraine with 55 aid packages via presidential drawdown authority (PDAs), which includes vehicles, ammunition, drones, and other equipment, worth over $26.3 billion since August 2021. The last aid package, announced on March 12, contained Stinger antiaircraft missiles, guided rockets, small anti-tank rockets, and 155-mm artillery ammunition. The Biden administration also agreed to supply a limited amount of ATACMS, the longest-range ground-launched guided missiles.
However, the readiness to supply additional ATACMS hinges on the availability of their replacements, Precision Strike Missiles. Officials indicate these could be supplied to Ukraine once they enter the Pentagon’s inventory. Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer, has already delivered the first batch to the U.S. Army. A contract worth $220 million has been signed in March for additional missiles, although the exact quantity remains undisclosed.
Scaling up the munitions production is crucial in meeting Ukraine’s demand. The process, which takes several weeks, involves manufacturing artillery ammunition in Pennsylvania and Iowa. General Dynamics, operates the Pennsylvania factory, has plans to open a new site in Dallas to increase shell production. The Army is ramping up production to reach its goal of 100,000 projectiles per month by 2025.
US aid to Ukraine also involves collaboration with NATO nations. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III organizes regular meetings of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, including major non-NATO allies and former Soviet Union arms buyers. The group’s role is to collect requests directly from Ukraine’s military and civilian leadership.
NATO defense ministers announced during a virtual meeting on Friday, significant military support for Ukraine including Germany’s additional Patriot air-defense missile system and approximately $4.3 billion from the Netherlands. NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, was assertive about the benefits of supporting Ukraine, saying, “It is an investment in our security.”
Contributors: Robert Jimison and Helene Cooper
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