US sending $2.6bn military aid package to Ukraine including Himars ammo

The US is sending additional military kit to Ukraine including artillery rounds and rocket systems as part of a $2.6bn package.

Announced on Tuesday, the support includes $500m in equipment from existing US stockpiles, plus $2.1bn on new kit that Washington will buy from manufacturers.

The US has provided more military support to Ukraine than any other country since Russia launched its full-scale invasion more than a year ago and this latest package comes ahead of expected spring offensives.

Equipment being sent from US inventories to Ukraine include more ammunition for the Himars multiple rocket launcher and Patriot air defence system that Ukrainian troops are currently using to repel Russian forces.

While the $2.1bn, provided under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), will be spent on procuring capabilities from industry rather than delivering equipment that is drawn down from Department of Defense stocks.

This includes additional munitions for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (Nasams), laser-guided rocket systems and air surveillance radars.

The department said: "The announcement of this USAI package represents the beginning of a contracting process to provide additional capabilities to Ukraine's Armed Forces."

The capabilities being sent from US stockpiles include:

Under the USAI funding programme, the US will provide Ukraine with:

The UK is continuing to support Ukraine, vowing to match the £2.3bn sent in aid to Ukraine in 2022, as well as training Ukrainian troops.

Ukrainian forces are currently fighting to push Russian out of its territory, including Crimea which was annexed illegally by Moscow in 2014.

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