According to a senior administration official and numerous US sources, the United States is poised to include longer-range missiles in a new $2.2 billion security package for Ukraine.
Two officials said the package would include a promise to give Ukraine the Ground-launched Small Diameter Bomb, a guided missile with a range of 90 miles.
US Weapons
The package will not contain the long-desired ATACMS missile with a range of more than 200 miles, although the missiles will virtually quadruple the range of Ukrainian weapons. According to CNN, the United States has consistently rejected Ukraine's demands for this weapon out of worry that it may be used to strike far within Russia.
This is the first security package since the United States agreed in January to provide Ukraine with upgraded M-1 Abrams tanks - a decision taken in conjunction with European nations supplying German-built Leopard 2 tanks. The package, which might be disclosed as early as Friday, would consist of $500 million in weapons and equipment taken straight from US stocks and around $1.7 billion in supplies acquired from military contractors.
Olivia Dalton, a spokesperson for the White House, stated on Tuesday that there would be another announcement of security support to Ukraine "soon" without offering any information. The Ground-launched Small Diameter Bomb, fired from a HIMARS rocket launcher, has a range of around 90 miles, according to Saab, who co-developed the weapon with Boeing.
This is more than double the range of the GMLRS munitions launched from Ukraine's HIMARS rocket launchers. The long-range missile then deploys tiny wings and propels itself toward its target using a rocket engine. However, Ukraine will only receive the new weapon after it comes straight from US stockpiles. Instead, the United States will contract with weapons makers to give Ukraine the long-range missile, a procedure that might take several weeks.
Read Also : Joe Biden Classified Documents Scandal Update
Russia-Ukraine War Update
Oleskii Reznikov, the defense minister of Ukraine, stated on Thursday that the country is willing to provide Western allies assurances that their weaponry would not be used to attack within Russian territory, adding that Kyiv requires weapons with a range of up to 186 miles to eject the Russian soldiers.
In a meeting with EU officials, Reznikov stated, "If we could strike from up to 300 kilometers away, the Russian army would be unable to mount a defense and would be forced to retire.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Western allies have pledged a plethora of air defense systems to supplement Kyiv's own Soviet-made S-300 surface-to-air missile defense systems, and the latest aid package aims to provide the capability to integrate them all, thereby enhancing Ukraine's ability to defend itself from incoming Russian attacks.
The United States has promised medium- to long-range National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, or NASAMS, and truck-launched short-range Avenger air defense systems. The Netherlands, Germany, and the United States are supplying Patriot missile defense systems, The Baltimore Sun reported
The inclusion of bombs with a greater range in the most recent assistance package was initially reported by Reuters. Since the outset of the conflict, US President Joe Biden has resisted providing Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets. Ukrainian authorities have urgently requested longer-range weapons (150 kilometers). The officials spoke confidentially to discuss specifics of the aid package that still need to be made public.
Currently, the United States' longest-range missile ranges around 50 miles (80 kilometers). The financing in the assistance package is for longer-term purchases. Thus, it was unclear on Thursday when the bomb would reach the battlefield in Ukraine, as per AP News.
The United States has promised medium- to long-range National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, or NASAMS, and truck-launched short-range Avenger air defense systems. The Netherlands, Germany, and United States supply Patriot missile defense systems.
Related Article : US, South Korea To Boost Nuclear Weapons
@YouTube
