US to send coastal defense systems to Ukraine: Senior official
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A senior US defense official says Washington and its allies are discussing sending additional coastal defense systems to Ukraine.
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The National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems
A senior US defense official confirmed that President Joe Biden will announce a new $400 million military aid package for Ukraine later on Friday.
"The White House will be announcing the President has decided to provide another round of presidential drawdown authority ... this PDA package is assistance valued up to $400 million," the official said during a conference call.
The official mentioned that the new package includes four High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), bringing the total number of units provided to Kiev to 12.
The United States provided Ukraine with eight HIMARS units to date, the official said, adding that the new assistance package will also include 1,000 rounds of 155-millimeter artillery ammunition with greater precision, three tactical vehicles to recover equipment, counter-battery systems, spare parts, and other equipment.
Washington & allies discussing sending additional coastal defense systems to Ukraine
The defense official also said that Washington and its allies are discussing sending additional coastal defense systems to Ukraine.
"We have already been looking at and discussing with allies and partners systems for coastal defense capabilities," the official said during a press briefing.
The official added that Ukrainian forces are using the supplied equipment "at such an intense pace" that it needs a lot of training and resources for sustainment, repair, and logistics.
The United States is also planning to deliver National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) to Ukraine within several months after Washington committed two systems in the previous $820 million military aid package, said the official.
US plans to supply Ukraine with military equipment in months & years ahead
In the same context, the senior US defense official said that the US wants Russia to "rethink" its plans to "outlast" the Ukrainians in terms of military supplies because Washington is already thinking about Kiev's military needs in the months and years ahead.
"I would say for the Russians to know that the Ukrainians are going to be able to continue the fight because if the Russians think they can outlast the Ukrainians, they need to rethink that because we are already pivoting towards thinking about what the Ukrainians will need in the months and years ahead," the official claimed.
