US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin has announced another $1 billion defence aid package for Ukraine, which includes missiles for HIMARS, shells, air defence systems and other weapons.
Austin made the announcement at the beginning of the 21st meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defence in the Ramstein format, Ukrinform reports.
"Today, I am pleased to announce that the United States will provide another $1 billion package of assistance under Presidential Decision Authority (PDA), which will include additional HIMARS ammunition, 155mm rounds, air defence equipment, and armoured vehicles," the Pentagon chief said.
Austin also noted the efforts of other countries to help Ukraine find ammunition.
"Just look at the Czech Republic's extraordinary initiative to purchase thousands of artillery shells from third countries. The United Kingdom has announced its largest arms package ever, worth approximately $620 million. Or look at Germany's bold announcement that it will provide Ukraine with another Patriot system," he said.
Update. The Pentagon's website published an indicative list of weapons and armaments that Kyiv would receive:
- additional ammunition for Patriot air defence systems;
- additional ammunition for the NASAMS air defence system;
- equipment to integrate Western air defence launchers, missiles and radars with Ukraine's air defence systems;
- anti-UAV systems;
- ammunition for laser-guided missile systems;
- multi-purpose radars;
- anti-artillery radars;
- additional ammunition for HIMARS;
- artillery shells of 155 and 152 mm calibre;
- high-precision aircraft munitions;
- Switchblade and Puma UAVs;
- tactical vehicles for towing weapons and equipment;
- explosive ammunition;
- components to support Ukrainian UAV production and other capabilities;
- small arms and additional ammunition for small arms;
- support for training and maintenance.