US to provide Ukraine with four more mobile artillery rocket systems in new $400 million Ukraine security assistance package
By Ellie Kaufman and Barbara Starr, CNN
The Biden administration will provide Ukraine with four more high mobility artillery rocket systems in the latest security assistance package, according to a senior defense official.
The latest package is valued at $400 million and is drawing from Presidential Drawdown Authority funding only, meaning the US is sending weapons directly from US stockpiles of weapons.
The $400 million package includes four additional rocket systems, additional ammunition for those systems, three tactical vehicles to “recover equipment, support Ukrainian efforts to repair, resupply as the battle continues,” 1,000 rounds of 155 mm artillery ammunition, demolition munitions, counter battery systems, and spare parts and other equipment, the official said.
The 1,000 rounds of 155 mm artillery ammunition that the US is providing to Ukraine in this package is a “new type” of ammunition that the US has not provided to Ukraine previously, the official added.
“It has greater precision, it offers Ukraine precise targeting, precise capability for specific targets, it will save ammunition, it will be more effective due to the precision, so it’s a further evolution in our support for Ukraine in this battle for the Donbas,” the official said.
The US has provided Ukraine with 12 high mobility artillery rocket systems total with the commitment of these additional four systems, the official said.
Reports that Russians have destroyed two high mobility artillery rocket systems systems are false, the official added.
“The ones that have already been provided are fully accounted for, Ukrainians are still using them in the fight,” the official said.
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