The Pentagon on Friday announced a new tranche of military aid to Ukraine. The $400 million weapons package includes Soviet-era tanks, outdated anti-air missiles, and miniature kamikaze drones.
Drawn from the Pentagon’s $3 billion Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, the package “represents the beginning of a contracting process to provide additional priority capabilities to Ukraine,” Defense Department spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters. Under the USI, the Pentagon purchases arms and equipment for Ukraine directly from weapons companies and suppliers.
Included in the package are 45 refurbished Soviet-era T-72 tanks, purchased by the US and the Netherlands from the Czech Republic. Funding is also provided to refurbish the US’ antiquated HAWK anti-air missiles for use by Kiev’s forces, and to repair 250 M1117 armored vehicles, in use by the US since the 1990s.