The Biden administration has decided to send $150 million worth of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine. This package includes HAWK air defense interceptors and 155-millimeter artillery munitions.
Two US officials, who preferred to remain anonymous because the details have not been made public yet, shared this information on Friday. The official announcement is expected on Monday.
This move comes as a response to Ukraine’s urgent requests for air defense support. In recent weeks, Russia has intensified its aerial attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities, causing significant damage. The US aims to help Ukraine defend itself against these attacks.
Upgrading Ukraine’s Defense Systems
The US began sending HAWK interceptor missiles to Ukraine in 2022, these missiles are an upgrade from the shoulder-launched Stinger air defense missile systems, which are smaller and have a shorter range. The HAWK system, which stands for “Homing All the Way Killer,” has been in use for decades and has been upgraded over the years to handle jamming and other countermeasures. It has been exported to more than a dozen countries, as per the US Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command.
In addition to the HAWK interceptors and 155-millimeter artillery munitions, the package will also include other munitions and equipment to support Ukraine’s defense needs. This package will be provided through the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows the president to quickly transfer defense articles and services from US stocks to support allies.
Since 2022, the US has provided Ukraine with more than $50 billion in military aid. This new package is another step in the ongoing effort to support Ukraine as it faces continued aggression from Russia.
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