Attributed to Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby:
This afternoon, April 1, the Department of Defense (DoD) informed Congress of additional assistance activities under the authority of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).
Through the USAI, the DoD will provide up to $300 million in security assistance to bolster Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. This decision underscores the United States’ unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in support of its heroic efforts to thwart Russia’s war of choice.
Features of this package include:
• Laser-guided rocket systems;
• Switchblade tactical unmanned aerial systems;
• Puma unmanned aerial systems;
• Anti-unmanned aerial systems;
• Wheeled multipurpose armored vehicles with high mobility;
• Small to large caliber non-standard ammunition;
• Night vision devices, thermal and optical imaging systems;
• Tactical secure communications systems;
• Non-standard machine guns;
• Commercial satellite imagery services;
• Medical supplies, field equipment and spare parts.
The United States has now committed more than $2.3 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of the Biden administration, including more than $1.6 billion in security assistance since the unprovoked and premeditated invasion of Russia.
Unlike the Presidential Levy, the USAI is an authority under which the United States purchases capacity from industry rather than delivering equipment drawn from DoD inventory. This announcement represents the start of a procurement process aimed at providing new capabilities to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The United States also continues to work with allies and partners to identify and provide the Ukrainians with additional capabilities.
The United States will continue to use all available tools to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the face of Russian aggression.
