Secretary of State Antony Blinken authorized the 33rd drawdown of U.S. arms and equipment for Ukraine valued at $400 million.
The drawdown included more ammunition for U.S.-provided HIMARS and howitzers and ammunition for Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, armored vehicle launched bridges, demolitions munitions and equipment and other maintenance, training and support, according to a March 3 State Department release.
“Spoke with @DmytroKuleba today as we enter the second year since Russia’s full-scale invasion. I reiterated the commitment @POTUS made that U.S. support for Ukraine is enduring and will last as long as it takes,” Blinken said in a post on Twitter.
The package includes armored vehicle-launched bridges. They are used by armored columns and enable them to cross rivers, streams, ditches and trenches, according to Department of Defense release. The bridges are carried on armored vehicles’ chassis and launched at river or stream banks. After the crossing, the vehicle can pick up the bridge on the far bank and carry on.
“Today, the United States announced a critical new package of military assistance for Ukraine to repel Russia's aggression. We stand #UnitedWithUkraine,” Blinken said in a Twitter post.
He said Russia could end its war by itself, but, until it does so and for as long as it takes, the U.S. will stand with Ukraine. The U.S. will help Ukraine strengthen its military so it will be in the strongest possible position at the negotiating table, the State Department release reported.
Based on data from the Department of Defense, more than 54 nations across the globe have made commitments to supply more than 1,000 tanks and other armored vehicles. In addition, they have also provided or committed to providing more than 800 artillery systems, two million rounds of artillery ammunition and more than 50 sophisticated multiple rocket launch systems.
