WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – The new US $775 million package of security assistance for Ukraine includes additional ammunition for HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, a senior defense official said on Friday.
The package includes five new types of military equipment that have not yet been delivered to Ukraine: 105mm howitzer artillery cannons; ScanEagle reconnaissance drones; tube-launched, optically-tracked, wire-guided (TOW) anti-tank missiles; Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) light vehicles; and anti-armor ammunition for Carl Gustaf rifles, the official said.
The United States will also provide 16 howitzers and 36,000 rounds of artillery ammunition, the official said.
The 15 ScanEagles drones will be used to assist the howitzers and other long-range systems with targeting, the official also said.
In addition, the security aid package will authorize the delivery of 40 MRAP vehicles, which together with the 50 armored Humvees, will increase the Ukrainian forces’ mobility on the battlefield, the official said.
Ukraine will receive 1,500 TOW anti-tank missiles, as well as 2,000 anti-armor rounds for systems provided by other allies, such as the Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle, the official also said.
The package will also include 1,000 Javelin anti-tank missiles and ammunition for high mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS), the official added.
"On Phoenix Ghosts, the concept here is for a rolling delivery. So, we will be delivering starting later this month. But moving forward, we are able to replenish their supplies and ensure that they have sufficient Phoenix Ghosts on hand on a regular basis," the senior defense official said.
