Officials say US expected to allocate $6 billion for long-term weapons contracts in Ukraine

The United States is set to provide Ukraine with a significant boost in military aid, with a $6 billion package that includes much-needed munitions for Patriot air defense systems. This aid, funded through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, will support longer-term contracts with the defense industry, meaning it could take months or even years for the weapons to arrive.

The aid package, the largest tranche of USAI aid sent to date, will include a variety of munitions for air defense, such as the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAM) and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), as well as drones, counter-drone systems, and artillery. This announcement comes as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin convenes a virtual meeting of defense officials from Europe and around the world to discuss international aid for Ukraine.

The funding follows a recent decision by the White House to approve the delivery of $1 billion in weapons and equipment to Ukraine, including ammunition, armored vehicles, and other weapons. These aid packages are a result of a new infusion of $61 billion in funding for Ukraine passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden, providing much-needed support for Ukrainian forces facing Russian aggression.

Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, the U.S. has sent over $44 billion worth of weapons, maintenance, training, and spare parts to Ukraine. However, challenges on the battlefield, including Russian drone warfare, have led Ukraine to sideline Abrams M1A1 battle tanks provided by the U.S. The aid packages aim to provide Ukraine with the necessary resources to push back against Russian forces and defend their sovereignty.