WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden’s administration is expected to announce as soon as Wednesday (Apr 13) another US$750 million in military assistance for Ukraine for its fight against Russian forces, two US officials familiar with the matter told Reuters.
The equipment would be funded using Presidential Drawdown Authority, or PDA, in which the president can authorise the transfer of articles and services from US stocks without congressional approval in response to an emergency.
One of the officials said final determinations were still being made about the mix of equipment.
A senior congressional aide said the equipment to be announced would likely include heavy ground artillery systems to Ukraine, including howitzers.
White House officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The White House said last week that it has provided more than US$1.7 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the Feb 24 invasion of Ukraine that Russia calls a “special military operation”.
The congressional aide said some lawmakers had been informed within the last 24 hours about the upcoming announcement, which was expected within the next 24 to 48 hours.
Weapons shipments have included defensive anti-aircraft Stinger and anti-tank Javelin missiles, as well as ammunition and body armour.
US and European leaders are being pressed by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to provide heavier arms and equipment to engage Russia in Ukraine’s eastern region, where Russia is expected to intensify its military efforts.
Raytheon Technologies and Lockheed Martin Corp jointly produce Javelins, while Raytheon makes Stingers. Other top weapons makers are Boeing Co, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics and L3Harris Technologies.
Separately, the Pentagon will host leaders from the top eight US weapons manufacturers on Wednesday to discuss the industry’s capacity to meet Ukraine’s weapons needs if the war with Russia lasts years, two people familiar with the meeting told Reuters.
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