SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 11 December 2024, Wednesday |

US keeps up weapons shipments to Ukraine with new $500 mln package

The United States expects to unveil a fresh military aid package for Ukraine worth up to $500 million as soon as Tuesday, maintaining the United States’ vow to assist Ukraine against Russia as Moscow struggles with a mutiny by some of its soldiers.

According to two US sources, the cargo would include ground vehicles as Ukraine continues its counteroffensive. According to one of the officials, 30 Bradley combat vehicles and 25 Stryker armored personnel carriers are expected to be included.

As a part of the aid package, Ukraine will receive munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), anti-tank weapons including Javelins and munitions for Patriot and Stinger anti-aircraft systems, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The package was still being finalized and could change, they said. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The package would be funded using Presidential Drawdown Authority, or PDA, which authorizes the president to transfer articles and services from U.S. stocks without congressional approval during an emergency. The material will come from U.S. excess inventory.

The security assistance package would be the 41st approved by the United States for Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022, for a total of more than $40 billion.

    Source:
  • Reuters