The Pentagon announced it would swiftly deliver Patriot air defence missiles and artillery ammunition to Ukraine as part of its latest military aid package.
Pentagon Missiles Delivery to Ukraine
The US will use $6 billion for this purpose, as revealed by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday. However, Patriot systems for launching the missiles won’t be sent.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the urgent need for Patriots to combat a growing Russian air threat, stating they “can and should save lives right now.”
A source confirmed to the BBC that the $6 billion is part of a $60 billion aid package signed into law by US President Joe Biden on Wednesday, which also includes $1 billion in more immediate aid.
khalifa University Scholarships in UAE 2024 | Apply Now
Mr. Austin stated in a news conference that the US is committing to its largest security assistance package to date and would “move immediately” to deliver the supplies to Ukraine. These include air defense munitions, counter-drone systems, and artillery ammunition, but not Patriot missile systems.
“It’s not just Patriots that they [the Ukrainians] need, they need other types of systems and interceptors as well,” Mr. Austin said. “I would caution us all in terms of making Patriot the silver bullet.”
He expressed confidence that more missile systems would soon be made available for Kyiv. Conversations were ongoing with European partners to deliver additional capabilities.
General Charles Brown, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated that the assistance should eliminate the Ukrainians’ need to ration shells on the frontline.
