The United States is providing Ukraine with various types of weapons and equipment, despite the lack of agreement in the US Congress on a multi-billion dollar funding package. We are talking about contracts for the production and transfer of military equipment and ammunition to Ukraine, which were concluded during 2022 and 2023.
The Voice of America writes about this with reference to the American Department of Defense.
The department noted that previously signed contracts provide for the supply of artillery ammunition, missiles for the HIMARS MLRS, air defense capabilities and other military equipment to Ukraine.
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The US Defense Department continues to fulfill some of its obligations to Ukraine under the USAI (Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative) program, contracts for which were previously agreed upon.
During Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the United States provided assistance to Kyiv through two main programs: USAI and the Presidential Defense Drawdown Authority (PDA). The USAI program was seen as a strategic initiative in which the United States ordered support for Ukraine from manufacturers. And while some contracts are still being implemented, funding for both USAI and PDA in the United States is lacking today due to a lack of agreement on aid to Ukraine in Congress.
A Pentagon spokesman for Jeff Jurgensen told the publication that each USAI contract has a specific performance period, production and delivery dates.
— In many cases — for example, with 155 mm ammunition, air defense systems NASAMs, Javelin, Stinger, GMLRS (high-precision projectiles for HIMARS, — Red.), a number of UAVs and means of countering UAVs — production and supply of this to Ukraine, as well as replenishment of US supplies, continues under the terms of these contracts, — he says.
At the same time, the US Department of Defense refused to disclose to Voice of America information about the number of contracted supplies, as well as the timing of their implementation. The Pentagon linked this to security issues.
Today, Ukrainian defenders have significant needs at the front for artillery ammunition, and the United States has the capacity to produce about 28 thousand 155-mm shells per month. At the same time, by the end of 2024, Washington plans to increase capacity to 70-80 thousand artillery shells per month, says Jeff Jurgensen. This happens, in particular, thanks to the USAI program.
A Pentagon spokesman notes that since the US Congress has not yet passed a support package for Ukraine, this creates uncertainty, which is causing “devastating” American defense department, which concerns not only support for Ukraine, but also for other American allies.
— For example, without additional funding we cannot achieve our goal of producing 100 thousand 155 mm shells per month. It also limits DoD's ability to fulfill planned multi-year procurement contracts, including missiles for the Stinger, Javelin and PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems, — says Jurgensen.
Recall that during this week the Senate of the American Congress voted for additional funding for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan totaling $95 billion. The next stage of this bill should go to the House of Representatives, from which critical comments on the document are already being heard .
In addition, the House of Representatives has already announced that it will go on recess until February 28, without approving the bill on financial assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
