United States is preparing new $2 billion arms package for Ukraine

According to reports, the United States is preparing a new $2 billion arms package for Ukraine.

Longer-range weapons that could aid Ukraine in stifling activity behind Russian borders will be part of the military assistance.

According to two US sources briefed on the proposal, the US is preparing more than $2 billion in military aid for Ukraine, which is anticipated to include longer-range rockets for the first time as well as other munitions and weapons.

According to the officials, the announcement of the aid might happen as soon as this week. Additionally, precision-guided bombs, Javelin anti-tank weapons, and support equipment for Patriot air defence systems are anticipated, they noted.

One of the individuals stated that a portion of the estimated $1.725 billion package would come from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), a fund that enables the administration of President Joe Biden to purchase weaponry from the private sector rather than from US military depots.

READ ALSO: Sudan has released man convicted of assassinating US diplomat John Granville

The Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB), a new weapon with a 150-kilometer range, would be purchased with USAID funding (94 miles). The US has rejected Ukraine’s requests for the ATACMS missile, which has a range of 300 km (185 miles).

The GLSDB glide bomb’s greater range may enable Ukraine to reach previously inaccessible targets and aid it in pressing counterattacks by upsetting Russia’s defences further.

According to SAAB, the Swedish company that develops the weapon alongside Boeing, the GLSDB may be used against armoured vehicles, is GPS-guided, can thwart some electronic jamming, is operable in all weather situations, and can be used against aircraft.

When dropped from an aircraft, the GBU-39 bomb, which serves as the GLSDB’s warhead, can glide more than 100 km (60 miles) and attack targets as tiny as one metre (3 feet) in diameter thanks to its small, folding wings.

According to one of the individuals, the USAI funding would also be used to purchase additional HAWK air defence components, counter-drone systems, counter-artillery and air surveillance radars, communications equipment, PUMA drones, and spare parts for important systems like Patriot and Bradley.

Another friend was also contributing a sizeable number of medical supplies, enough to outfit three field hospitals, the person said.

The White House chose not to respond. Up until the president signs them, aid packages’ contents and sizes are subject to change.

It was anticipated that this assistance would consist of guided multiple launch rocket systems (GMLRS), ammunition, and mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles (MRAPs).

Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 of last year, the US has provided Ukraine with security aid totaling about $27.2 billion. The invasion is described as a “special operation” by Russia.

SOURCE: REUTERS