U.S. readies $2 bln-plus Ukraine aid package with longer-range weapons -sources

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States is preparing $2 billion worth of military aid to Ukraine, which is expected to include long-range rockets and other munitions and weapons for the first time. The matter told Reuters on Tuesday.

Arms aid is expected to be announced as early as this week, officials said. It also includes supporting equipment for Patriot air defense systems, precision-guided weapons and Javelin anti-tank weapons, they added.

One of the officials said part of the package, expected to be $1.725 billion, will be part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which allows President Joe Biden’s administration to obtain weapons from industry rather than existing U.S. weapons. (USAI) said to come from a fund known as the USAI.

USAI funds will be used to purchase a new weapon, the Boeing Ground Launched Small Caliber Bomb (GLSDB). (Ban)and has a range of 94 miles (150 km). The United States has rejected Ukraine’s request for her ATACMS missile with a range of 185 miles (297 km).

The long range of the GLSDB glide bombs allows Ukraine to hit hitherto out-of-reach targets, and could further disrupt Russia in the rear to help it continue to counterattack.

Reuters first reported in November Boeing’s proposal to deploy a GLSDB to Ukraine. At the time, it was expected that GLSDB could enter Ukraine by spring.

GLSDB is co-created by SAAB AB (SAABb. ST) and Boeing. It combines the GBU-39 small caliber bomb (SDB) with his M26 rocket motor, both of which are common in US stocks.

According to the SAAB website, the GLSDB is GPS-guided, can overcome some electronic jamming, can be used in all weather conditions, and can be used against armored vehicles. Serving as the GLSDB warhead, the GBU-39 has a small folding wing that, when dropped from an aircraft, can glide over 100 km and hit targets as small as 3 feet (1 meter) in diameter. increase.

USAI funds will also be used to pay for additional components for HAWK air defense systems, anti-drone systems, anti-artillery and anti-aircraft surveillance radars, communications equipment, PUMA drones, and spare parts for major systems such as the Patriot and Bradley. one of the officials said. .

There was also a significant amount of medical equipment donated by another ally to equip three field hospitals, the official added.

The White House declined to comment.

In addition to USAI funding, more than $400 million worth of aid was expected to come from Presidential Drawdown Agency funds, which would allow the president to pull off current U.S. stocks in an emergency.

That assistance was expected to include a Mine Resistant Ambush Protection Vehicle (MRAP), a Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), and ammunition.

Since Russia’s aggression in February 2022, the United States has sent approximately $27.2 billion worth of security assistance to Ukraine.

Reported by Mike Stone of Washington. Edited by Leslie Adler, Jonathan Ortiz and Lincoln Feast.

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