By KYIV. Oct 25 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The United States will allocate up to $150 million in additional military aid to Ukraine in a package that could be announced as early as October 25, Voice of America said on Wednesday, citing its own sources.
“The package includes more GMLRS rockets for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), munitions for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), TOW anti-tank missiles, AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles and 155 mm rounds, according to two of the officials who spoke to VOA on condition of anonymity to discuss the package prior to its announcement,” Voice of America said.
At the same time, the publication said both Ukraine and Israel need the U.S. stocks of 155-mm shells, but the United States is able to meet their needs. “The availability of 155 mm rounds has raised concerns in recent days as U.S. partners Ukraine and Israel both need them to fight their wars, one against Russia’s invasion, the other against Palestinian militant group Hamas, who killed hundreds of Israelis and kidnapped dozens more in a brazen terrorist attack on October 7,” Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder said.
The package expected on Wednesday is the 49th time that presidential authority has been used to redirect weapons from U.S. stockpiles to the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. According to Voice of America, since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the United States has provided Ukraine with security assistance amounting to about $44 billion.
