F-16, Patriot, missiles
USA announces massive $8 billion military package for Ukraine
26.09.2024, 12:58
US President Biden is using billions of dollars that he is allowed to use until the end of his term to support Ukraine. This includes another Patriot air defense system, various types of missiles and the training of additional F-16 pilots.
The US will help Ukraine with another massive military aid package in its defense against Russian aggression. Because of the successes so far, President Joe Biden announced “increased security assistance to Ukraine and a range of other measures to help Ukraine win this war.”
All of the funds are to be used by the end of Biden’s term at the end of the year. This includes $5.5 billion that is still available under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which can be used without congressional approval. The Department of Defense also announced $2.4 billion in security assistance.
According to Biden, the support includes expanding the training of F-16 pilots. 18 additional pilots are to be trained next year. Western partners have so far promised Ukraine 79 F-16 jets in the next few years, but there is a lack of personnel. The training is expensive and takes well over a year. According to reports, six to ten F-16 jets are currently in use in Ukraine. One aircraft has crashed so far.
Additional Patriot Unit
The additional Patriot system and the additional Patriot missiles announced by Washington should also be particularly helpful for Ukraine. So far, it is publicly known that two US Patriot units from the USA are deployed in the country attacked by Russia. There are also three from Germany. Additional units from the Netherlands and Romania have been promised. However, according to information from Kiev, a total of 25 Patriot systems would be needed for effective air defense.
Biden also announced the delivery of JSOW ammunition. This can be fired from F-16 jets, for example, and hit targets on the ground. The range is around 100 kilometers. AMRAAM missiles, which fighter planes can use to shoot down attacking missiles, are also scheduled to be delivered in 2025.
New sanctions against Russia
“To counter Russian sanctions evasion and money laundering, the Department of Justice, the Department of the Treasury, and the U.S. Secret Service today took action, in coordination with international partners, to dismantle a global cryptocurrency network,” Biden said in a statement. “The United States will continue to impose the costs of Russia’s war in Ukraine and drain resources from the Russian defense industry.”
The US President also announced that he would convene a leadership-level meeting of the Contact Group on Defense Issues in Ukraine next month in Germany to coordinate the efforts of the more than 50 countries that are supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression. “With these actions, my message is clear: The United States will give Ukraine the support it needs to win this war.”
Selenskyj thanks
Ukrainian President Zelensky thanked Biden on X for his help. The president also included the Republicans, with whom he had recently been in serious conflict. Ukraine is worried that arms deliveries will end if Donald Trump wins the presidential election.
“We will use this assistance as efficiently and transparently as possible to achieve our great common goal: a victory for Ukraine, a just and lasting peace and transatlantic security,” said Zelensky.