The US State Department announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth 325M. It contains among other things ammunition for the HIMARS system which Ukraine has been using very effectively.
On Wednesday, April 20th, The administration of American President Joe Biden announced that they were commissioning a new $325 Million package of military aid for Ukraine in its fight against Russia. This package importantly includes the integral High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) which has developed an almost mythic reputation in the war.
This package will be considered the 36th Military aid package from America to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in 2022. It adds up the total amount of military aid given to Ukraine to about $35.4 Billion since then.
America’s statement of aid
The American Secretary of State, Antony Blinken stated, “This security assistance package includes more ammunition for U.S.-provided HIMARS and artillery rounds, as well as anti-armour systems, small arms, logistics support vehicles, and maintenance support essential to strengthening Ukraine’s defenders on the battlefield.”
He reiterated America’s commitment to Ukraine saying, “Russia could end its war today. Until Russia does, the United States and our allies and partners will stand united with Ukraine for as long as it takes.” This points towards further military aid as the war progresses. The leaks which caused major controversy do not seem to have at least outwardly affected US-Ukranian relations yet.
This Aid Package was funded and authorized by President Biden using the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) a power similar to the executive order, which allows the President to transfer objects or services from American supply to other nations or groups without Congressional approval in case of an emergency.
What is the HIMARS?
Primary among the weapons and ammunition being sent is the HIMARS system which has come to represent the Ukrainian war in many ways. It is a truck-mounted missile launcher that launches multiple missiles rapidly. The HIMARS missiles are guided and can reach the enemy up to 80 KM (50 mi).
Its full designation is the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). It was developed in the late 1990s by the United States of America and has been in service since 2010.
Ukraine has been very successful in using these missiles against Russia as they have in many ways evened the playing field and reduced Russia’s advantage in artillery and firepower. Ukraine has consistently used HIMARS as mobile Artillery to counter Russia’s artillery guns which the former has less of.
Their guided nature and rapid firing capability mean that Ukraine can use these in quick attacks on Russian armour and vehicles slowed down due to road conditions. These ambushes have been highly effective, to the point where the War in Ukraine has almost in a manner been a demonstration of the HIMARS capabilities. Many countries such as Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Morocco, and the Netherlands acquired the system around 2022 to 2024 after seeing its effectiveness in battle.
The full military aid package
Apart from the HIMARS, the military aid package also contains among other things artillery rounds, TOW (Tube Launched, Optically Tracked, Wire Guided Missiles) such as the BGM-71, and anti-tank mines. The package also has approximately 9 million rounds of small arms ammunition (for machine guns, rifles, and pistols) and Port and Harbour Security equipment according to a state department spokesperson.
The last element becomes especially important as more and more of the fighting moves toward Ukraine’s southern coast and Crimea, which if they want to take they’ll need all the help they can get. And it seems America will provide help for the foreseeable future.
