Pentagon Poised to Swiftly Provide Military Assistance to Ukraine pending Congressional Approval of Aid

The Pentagon is poised to deliver weapons to Ukraine quickly if Congress approves a delayed aid bill. Utilizing storage sites in the U.S. and Europe that already house the needed ammunition and air defense components, the Pentagon could have the weapons in Ukraine within days.

CIA Director Bill Burns emphasized the urgency on Thursday, warning that without additional U.S. aid, Ukraine could lose its battle against Russia by the end of the year.

Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder expressed the desire to provide the necessary security assistance promptly to help Ukraine succeed. If the $61 billion in funding is approved, the Pentagon’s efficient logistics network will allow for rapid material movement, potentially within days.

Although the Pentagon has supplies ready for shipment, the lack of funding has prevented their deployment. The existing funds allocated by Congress have already been expended, with over $44 billion worth of weapons and support sent to Ukraine post-Russia’s 2022 invasion.

With the Pentagon facing a $10 billion shortfall by December due to the cost of replacing systems sent to Ukraine, aid packages to Ukraine were halted. The new legislation will include over $20 billion to replenish Pentagon stocks and ensure the readiness of military services.

The delay in weapon deliveries has forced Ukrainian troops to ration their dwindling munitions supply for months.

House Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing for a weekend vote on the Ukraine funding bill, despite internal opposition. If approved, President Joe Biden has pledged immediate signing, prompting the Pentagon to commence the transfer of stored weapons to Ukraine.

Key points on the rapid movement of weapons to Ukraine:

Weapon transfers are expedited through presidential drawdown authority or security assistance once an aid package is announced. The presidential drawdown authority has facilitated the swift transfer of billions of dollars worth of equipment to Ukraine.

The U.S. has already surged weapons to European sites to facilitate quicker delivery upon funding approval. The escalation in supplying more lethal systems to Ukraine has heightened cost pressures, leading to deeper military debts.

The U.S. military’s storage facilities, like the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant in Oklahoma, are equipped to rapidly deploy munitions in wartime scenarios. The facility plays a crucial role in providing 155 mm howitzer rounds, a highly demanded munition in Ukraine.

The U.S. military official noted that certain munitions could be swiftly sent to Ukraine, leveraging existing storehouses in Europe for rapid deployment.

Various sites in Germany, Poland, and other allies are supporting Ukraine in maintaining and training on Western systems deployed to the front, expediting repairs and upkeep on critical equipment.