US to send US$550 million of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine forces, official says
- The package will ‘include more ammunition for the high mobility advanced rocket systems … known as HIMARS, said US Security Council spokesman John Kirby
- This brings the total of military help committed to Ukraine since Joe Biden took office to more than US$8.8 billion, according to the Pentagon
The United States on Monday announced a new tranche of weapons for Ukraine’s forces fighting Russia, including ammunition for increasingly important rocket launchers and artillery guns.
The new US$550 million package will “include more ammunition for the high mobility advanced rocket systems otherwise known as HIMARS, as well as ammunition” for artillery, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.
The package includes 75,000 rounds of 155mm artillery ammunition, a statement from the Pentagon said.
“To meet its evolving battlefield requirements, the United States will continue to work with its allies and partners to provide Ukraine with key capabilities,” the statement said.
This brings the total of military help committed to Ukraine since US President Joe Biden took office to more than US$8.8 billion, according to the Pentagon.
Previous weapons assistance from Washington to Kyiv has included counter-artillery radars, Javelin anti-tank missiles, Soviet-made helicopters, shells and light armoured vehicles.