Officials Say US Plans to Send $1 Billion Weapons Package to Ukraine

According to two U.S. officials speaking anonymously to Reuters on Tuesday, the United States is putting together a $1 billion military aid package for Ukraine, the first to come from a pending Ukraine-Israel bill.

The aid package will include vehicles, Stinger air defense munitions, additional ammunition for high-mobility artillery rocket systems, 155-millimeter artillery ammunition, TOW and Javelin anti-tank munitions, and other weapons that can quickly be used on the battlefield.

President Joe Biden had requested $60.8 billion in aid for Ukraine from the U.S. Congress, but there was a delay due to concerns over southern border security.

Once the Ukraine-Israel bill is finalized and signed, funds will be replenished to address the Pentagon’s worries about the potential impact on U.S. military readiness if Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) is used to assist Ukraine.

The Presidential Drawdown Authority permits the president to transfer excess weapons from U.S. stocks without requiring congressional approval in case of an emergency.

As the replenishment funds are used, U.S. defense companies are expected to receive more contracts as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues.

Experts anticipate an increase in the order backlog for RTX and other major companies with government contracts like Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, and Northrop Grumman following the passage of the supplemental spending bill.