At Saudi Arabia’s first World Defense Show, north of the capital Riyadh, March 6, 2022, US military personnel are standing by the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).
Fayez Nureldine | Afp | Getty Images
The Washington-Biden administration plans to send its 15th security assistance package to Ukraine, and since then total US military and humanitarian assistance has exceeded $ 7 billion. Russia invades Ukraine In late February.
A senior U.S. defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to share additional security assistance details, said the $ 400 million weapons package was coordinated with Ukrainian authorities to accommodate a wider Russian attack in eastern Ukraine. Said that it has been.
Heavy artillery platforms such as howitzers and the High Mobile Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) are at the top of the Ukrainian Army’s wish list.
According to officials, the latest security package includes four additional HIMARS, bringing the total number of HIMARS transfers from the US arsenal to Ukraine to 12.
HIMARS manufactured by the defense giant Lockheed MartinIs designed to launch a variety of missiles from a mobile 5-ton truck. Officials said the U.S. military would continue to train Ukrainian troops on how to use the platform abroad.
The US M142 High Mobile Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher will launch Salvo on June 9, 2021 during an “African Lion” military exercise in the Glia Laboich region of southeastern Morocco.
Fadelsenna | AFP | Getty Images
“We believe this is a lasting battle, so we will continue training,” officials said, adding that training for HIMARS will take about a week to complete.
Officials refused to give details when reporters pressured how many Ukrainian troops had completed training on the HIMARS platform so far.
read more: This is what the United States has promised Ukraine in the fight against Russia.
He added that the latest security aids would be a combination of new features with systems already deployed in combat.
According to officials, the latest weapon tranche will include additional ammunition for the HIMARS, a 155 mm howitzer, and howitzer ammunition.
This is breaking news. Please check for updates.
