The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 23/7 that the US State Department had approved two potential arms sales to Ukraine. One is a $172 million package of equipment and maintenance services for the HAWK medium-range air defense system. The other is a $150 million package of equipment and services related to M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles.
The DSCA stated that the HAWK deal will help "improve Ukraine's ability to meet current and future threats" by further equipping Kyiv to carry out defensive missions and protect regional security with a stronger air defense capability.
The Bradley deal will "meet Ukraine's urgent need to increase its on-site maintenance capability, thereby helping US-supplied vehicles and weapon systems maintain a high combat readiness rate," according to the DSCA.
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M2 Bradley armored vehicles of the Ukrainian 47th Brigade near the front line in Zaporizhzhia province, June 2023. Photo: Reuters |
M2 Bradley armored vehicles of the Ukrainian 47th Brigade near the front line in Zaporizhzhia province, June 2023. Photo: Reuters
The US Congress has 30 days from the notification to decide whether to block the deal. If there are no objections from Congress, the contract will be submitted to President Donald Trump for approval.
This is the latest US arms sale proposal for Ukraine, following a $310.5 million deal announced in early May for equipment and maintenance services for F-16 fighter jets.
The US has been Ukraine's strongest supporter since the conflict between Kyiv and Moscow erupted in early 2022. Under the administration of former President Joe Biden, the US pledged more than $65 billion in military aid to Ukraine, according to AFP.
Since taking office in January, President Trump, who has long been skeptical of supporting Ukraine, has not yet approved any new arms aid packages for Kyiv. However, his administration continues to transfer previously approved equipment to Ukraine, although this has been interrupted several times, most recently earlier this month.
President Trump also recently announced an agreement to indirectly supply arms to Ukraine, where NATO allies will purchase equipment from Washington and then transfer it to Kyiv.
Pham Giang (According to AFP)
