WASHINGTON: United States has announced an additional help of USD 6 billion to Ukraine, which will allow for procurement of arms, including important ships Patriot and NASAMS ( National Advanced Surface- to- Air Missile System ) air defence techniques, the US defence minister Lloyd Austin said on Saturday.
According to Austin, the additional$ 6 billion commitment made through the US Security Assistance Initiative ( USAI ) will enable the procurement of additional capabilities for Ukraine from US companies.
” This is the largest security assistance package that we’ve committed to time”, Austin told a news conference at the Pentagon, adding that the US would “move quickly” to get the items to Ukraine.
Additionally, the USAI assistance package includes maintenance and support for counter-drone systems and help products, as well as significant amounts of air-to-ground munitions and artillery ammunition.
The US president signed a$ 60 billion aid bill on Wednesday, which also includes$ 1 billion in additional immediate aid, according to Austin, which includes the$ 6 billion.
The “historic new security assistance package” will address Ukraine’s ongoing battlefield needs, according to the department of defense ( DoD ), and show unwavering US support for Ukraine.
Following a virtual conference of the 21st Ukraine military email group, which saw the cooperation of Ukranian minister of defense Umerov and General Syrskyi, Austin and Air Force General Charles Q Brown Jr., chair, joint chiefs of staff, made a press conference address.
At the start of the online meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the audience and demanded more air defense systems to be deployed in Kyiv to support Russian cuts.
Austin claimed that specifically two years prior to the meeting that he had convened the Ukraine Defence Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base. The organization provides military aid to Ukraine, which includes about 50 allies and partners from all over the globe.
The US Defense Secretary stated that call team members have provided more than USD 95 billion in protection support to Ukraine.
” Over the past two years, the members of this Personal Group have committed more than 70 late- to much collection atmosphere- defense systems, along with thousands of missiles. We’ve provided more than 3, 000 armoured vehicles, including more than 800 main battle tanks. We’ve given Ukraine tens of thousands of anti- tank missiles. More than a squadron of donated F-16s will start arriving in Ukraine this year, according to a Pentagon readout of Austin’s remarks at the opening of the 21st Ukraine Defence Contact Group, along with pilots and maintainers trained by members of this Contact Group.
The US Defence Secretary noted Czech Republic’s “extraordinary initiative” to procure thousands of artillery shells from third countries for Ukraine. Additionally, the UK has announced its largest single equipment package to date, which is worth about USD 620 million. Or consider Germany’s bold announcement that it will donate another Patriot system to Ukraine”, he said.
“Ukraine is in dire need of more air- defence systems. And it urgently needs more interceptors. That’s going to be a huge priority for us all today. In order to defend its citizens and reclaim its slain territory, Ukraine also needs more artillery and armor, according to Austin.
Responding to a reporter’s query Austin said,” I would point out that it’s not just Patriot, that you know, they need. They need other types of systems and interceptors, as well. And so I would caution everyone in the direction of making Patriot the breakthrough. I would say that it’s going to be the integrated air and missile defence, as we’ve said so many times before, that really turns the tide. And so there are other capabilities that they may need that we may be able to provide them with a little quicker.
Urging allies to deter Russia from further aggression, the US defence secretary said,” If Ukraine fell under Putin’s boot, Europe would fall under Putin’s shadow”.
The United States is an authority under which it obtains capabilities from US businesses or partners.
” So the announcements this week underscore America’s enduring commitment to Ukraine’s defence. I’m also proud of the assistance that our allies and partners have given Ukraine. Our contact group partners have contributed the majority of the counter-UAS systems to Ukraine, the majority of the 155-millimeter artillery systems, the majority of the tanks, the majority of the armored personnel carriers, the majority of the infantry fighting vehicles, and more,” Austin said.
