Last week was the second anniversary of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group led by Secretary Austin. In commemoration, the Department of Defense (DoD) unveiled a significant new security assistance package to address Ukraine’s ongoing battlefield requirements, demonstrating steadfast U.S. support for the nation. This package, facilitated through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) and funded by the recently signed national security supplemental legislation, encompasses equipment to enhance Ukraine’s air defenses, fires, artillery, Counter-UAS capabilities and sustain previously committed capabilities from the United States.

The most recent assistance to Ukraine includes VAMPIRE C-UAS technology and munitions, C-UAS gun trucks, ammunition, and other C-UAS equipment.

In contrast to the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which DoD has utilized to swiftly provide equipment from DoD stocks to Ukraine, including the recent $1 billion package announced on April 24, USAI authorizes the United States to procure capabilities from U.S. industry or partners. This announcement marks the initiation of a contracting process to secure additional priority capabilities for Ukraine.

The capabilities in this announcement, which totals up to $6 billion, include:

  • Additional munitions for Patriot air defense systems;
  • Additional munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS);
  • Equipment to integrate Western air defense launchers, missiles, and radars with Ukraine’s air defense systems;
  • Counter-UAS equipment and systems;
  • Munitions for laser-guided rocket systems;
  • Multi-mission radars;
  • Counter-artillery radars;
  • Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
  • 155mm and 152mm artillery rounds;
  • Precision aerial munitions;
  • Switchblade and Puma Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS);
  • Tactical vehicles to tow weapons and equipment;
  • Demolition munitions;
  • Components to support Ukrainian production of UAS and other capabilities;
  • Small arms and additional small arms ammunition; and
  • Ancillary items and support for training, maintenance, and sustainment activities.

Post Image-Bucha, Ukraine – Apr. 06, 2022: War in Ukraine. Chaos and devastation on the streets of Bucha as a result of the attack by Russia (Image Credit: Adobe Stock by misu)