The Biden Administration has provided $1.7 billion in assistance through the first six-plus weeks since Russia invaded, and it will soon authorize another $750 million later this week, Reuters reported Tuesday.
This round of aid will be funded utilizing the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which permits a President to authorize the transfer of articles and services from U.S. stocks without congressional approval in response to an emergency.
According to NBC News, the aid could include new capabilities, including unmanned surface vehicles and Mi-17 helicopters.
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According to a fact sheet from the Administration, their military assistance has come in the form of more than 1,400 Singer anti-aircraft systems, 5,000 Javelin anti-aircraft systems, and 7,000 other anti-armor systems, according to a fact sheet from the Administration provided to reporters last week. The aid comes as Russia has altered its focus in Ukraine to emphasize the Donbas region, the southeastern part of the country that has a large contingent of Russian separatists. This pivot in Russia’s plan follows the unsuccessfully month spent attempting to capture the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.
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The Pentagon is convening a meeting with eight military contractors Wednesday to discuss their long-term plans to support Ukraine if the war deems it necessary. On Tuesday, a defense official informed the Washington Examiner that they “will discuss industry proposals to accelerate production of existing systems and develop new, modernized capabilities critical to the department’s ongoing security assistance to Ukraine and long-term readiness of U.S. and ally/partner forces.”
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“To continue to support this protracted conflict,” the official continued, “we are engaging in strategically focused discussions with industry to ensure we are prepared as a nation to support the long-term needs of the Ukrainian people, our own national security needs, and those of our allies and our partners.”
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Previous Weapons shipments have included defensive anti-aircraft Stinger and anti-tank Javelin missiles, as well as ammunition and body armor. U.S. and European leaders are being pressed by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to provide heavier arms and equipment to engage Russia in Ukraine’s eastern region, where Russia is expected to intensify its military efforts. Raytheon Technologies (RTX.N) and Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) jointly produce Javelins, while Raytheon makes Stingers. Other top weapons makers are Boeing Co (BA.N), Northrop Grumman (NOC.N), General Dynamics (GD.N), and L3Harris Technologies (LHX.N).
Separately, it is reported that the Pentagon will host leaders from the top eight U.S. weapons manufacturers on Wednesday to discuss the industry’s capacity to meet Ukraine’s weapons needs if the war with Russia lasts years, two people familiar with the meeting told Reuters.
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