US to send Ukraine anti-drone systems

The United States is set to provide Ukraine $275 million in military help, including anti-drone and air defense capabilities.

Reports say the Pentagon would also include rockets for Lockheed Martin Corp’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers, 155mm ammunition, Humvee combat vehicles, and generators.

The $275 million will be financed by Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), which permits the United States to immediately move defense products and services from inventories in response to an emergency without requiring legislative permission.

Russia’s surge in missile strikes in Ukraine is partly designed to exhaust Kyiv’s supplies of air defenses and achieve dominance of the skies above the country, a senior Pentagon official said in November.

To counter these attacks, the United States has sent sophisticated anti-aircraft NASAMS systems to Ukraine which have been running for a few weeks.

Washington previously announced it was also sending HAWK interceptor missiles as well as four Avenger short-range air defense systems that use Stinger missiles, made by Raytheon Technologies Corp.

Allies of the United States have also sent air defense systems.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the US has contributed over $19.1 billion in security aid to Kyiv.

On Thursday, US lawmakers approved to provide Ukraine with at least $800 million in additional security aid in 2023.