Pentagon reveals contents of latest $3.75bln arms package to Ukraine
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A new year, a new series of military aid packages to Ukraine.
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US and Ukrainian troops
The Pentagon said on Friday that the latest military assistance package for Ukraine worth $3.75 billion includes 50 Bradley fighting vehicles, 500 TOW anti-tank missiles, and 250,000 rounds of 22mm ammunition.
According to US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasian Affairs Laura Cooper, it will take a couple of months to field Bradley fighting vehicles in Ukraine.
Biden said: "Yes!". Bradley combat vehicles go to Ukraine
— Lew Anno Yieretz Israel (@anno1540) January 5, 2023
The President of the United States confirmed that the first batch of modern combat vehicles will be sent to the front soon.
We tell you what the tracked armored reconnaissance vehicle M2 Bradley is intended for and /1 pic.twitter.com/SpnYeO8tar
It will also include 100 M113 Armored Personel Carriers, 55 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs), and 13 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs).
It includes 70,000 155mm artillery rounds, 500 precision-guided 155mm artillery rounds, and 1,200 155mm artillery rounds of the Remote Anti-Armor Mine (RAAM) system.
The package additionally provides Ukraine with 36 105mm towed Howitzers and 95,000 105mm artillery rounds.
It also includes 10,000 120mm mortar rounds, additional ammunition for HIMARS, and approximately 2,000 anti-armor rockets.
The Pentagon further stated that the package will include - for the first time ever - the Sea Sparrow anti-aircraft, anti-missile weapon systems which, according to Cooper, will be integrated into the Soviet Buk surface-to-air missile system
"The RIM-7 will integrate with the Buk system. So, this is a Soviet-type system. The S-300, that's a strategic range, whereas the Buk is a shorter-range system," Cooper said during a press briefing. "It is a creative solution that did require some engineering finesse"
The $2.85 billion US military aid package will include radar-guided RIM-7 Sea Sparrow anti-aircraft missiles that can be launched from sea or land to intercept aircraft or cruise missiles.The ZSU was able to adapt Buk launchers to launch Sea Sparrow missiles.(Donbas Operational) pic.twitter.com/fVte1dd2kg
— TïmeTeamFella✙ (@RasReload) January 6, 2023
She further said the package will include 4,000 Zuni rockets, "which can be mounted on Ukraine’s existing aircraft to engage air or ground targets," Cooper said.
Zuni rockets can be used with either fixed- or rotary-wing aircraft, noting that the rockets have a short-range, not a long-range, capability.
4000 units of 5in (127mm) Zuni rockets have been pledged. As far as I'm aware to date these have only been used on aircraft. Will be interesting to see if they will be integrated onto Ukrainian aircraft/helicopters and whether laser guidance kits will follow. https://t.co/GOrQC6jdyV pic.twitter.com/dxbGotlK6s
— Alex (@magictouch190) January 6, 2023
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On his part, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the package totals the amount of $3.75 billion.
"More Than $3.75 billion in US military assistance to Ukraine and countries impacted by Russia’s brutal war. In this first week of 2023, the United States continues to stand strongly behind Ukraine and our European allies and partners by announcing more than $3.75 billion in new military assistance," Blinken said in a statement.
Earlier today, White House Spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said $682 million of the $3 billion package will be allocated to assist European partners to reinforce NATO's presence in the eastern flank and $225 million to revamp Ukraine's military and build its long-term capacity.
"[T]he package is expected to include… $225 million in foreign military financing for Ukraine to build the long-term capacity and modernization of Ukraine's military," Jean-Pierre said during a press briefing.
"Today's assistance also includes $682 million for regional partners and allies on NATO's eastern flank to incentivize and backfill donations of military equipment."
