The United States will allocate an additional $800 million specifically earmarked for the production of Ukrainian drones, announced President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after he met with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Kyiv on 21 October.
Drones play an essential role in modern warfare, providing key advantages such as real-time reconnaissance, precision targeting, and the ability to strike deep behind enemy lines. Ukraine produces most of its drones domestically and has scaled up its production since the Russian full-scale invasion began. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has announced a goal of manufacturing at least one million drones annually.
“We need Ukraine to be able to consistently defend its sovereignty and independence despite any political threats in the world. Every meeting with partners is a conversation about, among other things, the defense-industrial complex,” Zelenskyy said.
This comes after Lloyd announced a $400 million military aid package for Ukraine during his fourth trip to Kyiv as US Defense Secretary.
The Pentagon revealed that the new package for Ukraine will include:
- Ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
- 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition;
- 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm mortar systems and rounds;
- Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) missiles;
- Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems;
- M113 Armored Personnel Carriers;
- Satellite communication equipment;
- Small arms and ammunition;
- Grenades and training equipment;
- Demolitions equipment and munitions;
- Equipment to protect critical national infrastructure; and
- Spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training, and transportation.
“We discussed the most crucial defense priorities, including Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, preparations for the winter period, and expanded use of long-range weapons against Russian military targets,” Zelenskyy stated.
The Ukrainian president highlighted efforts to increase the production of strike drones, cruise missiles, artillery shells, and air defense systems as another key topic of discussion.
The United States plans to provide Ukraine with aid packages worth hundreds of millions of dollars every two to three weeks. This consistent flow of support is aimed at strengthening the Ukrainian army over the coming months, particularly from October through December, amid continuous Russian shelling of civilians and steady advance in Donbas.
In September, the US issued another package worth $250 million, which included air defense and ammunition.
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