Biden authorizes $725mln worth of weapons for Ukraine

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US President Joe Biden ordered on Friday an additional $725 million in weapons shipments to Ukraine. The White House did not specify the nature of the latest disbursement, only that it would be another reduction in Defense Department "defense articles and services."

The Pentagon clarified that the package would include an undetermined quantity of "additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS)," thousands of 155mm artillery rounds, and more than 200 additional Humvees.

Earlier this week, the United States pledged to expedite the delivery of two of the eight NASAMS air defense systems that it has long promised Ukraine. However, the new package will not include any additional anti-air capabilities.

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Following heavy Russian missile strikes on Ukraine on Monday and Tuesday, Washington and NATO allies pledged to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses. Moscow stated that they were in response to Kiev's terrorist tactics, which included attempts to sabotage the Kursk nuclear power plant and the TurkStream gas pipeline, as well as the truck bombing of the Crimean Bridge.

Since the start of Russia's military operation, the US has been Ukraine's staunchest supporter, providing billions of dollars in military and financial aid, as well as intelligence data.

Large quantities of heavy weapons have been delivered to Kiev, including over 150 artillery pieces, 20 Mi-17 helicopters, 200 M113 Armored Personnel Carriers, hundreds of Humvees, and 16 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).

There are over 1,400 Stinger anti-aircraft systems, over 8,500 Javelin anti-tank weapons, 32,000 other anti-armor platforms, at least 700 Switchblade suicide drones, and an unspecified number of Claymore anti-personnel mines on the list.

For the 23rd time since August 2021, Biden has used his Presidential Drawdown Authority to authorize the transfer of "surplus" weapons from the Pentagon's stocks. According to the Department of Defense, the US has "committed more than $17.5 billion in security assistance" to Kiev this year alone.

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Last month, during the latest display of Biden's seemingly bottomless provisions of aid to Ukraine, Washington announced it will send another $600 million in military assistance to Ukraine on top of the $675 million package which was announced a week earlier, Biden announced on September 15. 

Although there was no specification of what the package will consist of, it was only mentioned that there will be a drawdown in Defense Department "articles and services."

The official website of the White House gave authority to Secretary of State Antony Blinken to “direct the drawdown of up to $600 million in defense articles and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training,” to Ukraine.

The Pentagon, later on, divulged that the package will include more "ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS)," thousands of 105mm and precision-guided 155mm artillery rounds, counter-artillery radars, and anti-drone systems. Anti-personnel mines, small arms and ammunition and night vision goggles, and cold weather gear will also be included.