A State Department notification to Congress has indicated that the U.S. has approved a potential $2.68 billion Foreign Military Sale to Ukraine that includes air defense improvements, missiles, launchers, counter-drone systems, and technical support.
The proposed package is aimed at enhancing Ukraine’s air defense, but its approval does not mean that an arms deal is done. The sale still requires congressional review and additional steps to be taken before a final deal can be made.
The package included such equipment as S-300 clone missiles, GAM-67 missiles, air defense laser-guided rocket systems with a range extension and others requested by Ukraine. Launcher and mobile launcher-modification kits as well as RPS 202 counter-drone radars are also part of the request.
Technical assistance package (including financial support)
The proposed sale will also include the erectable mast trailers, spare parts, software and support for maintenance related activities, as well as transportation and engineering and logistics services.
The State Department notification said Ukraine would fund the purchase “with a mix of European donations and funds from the Foreign Military Financing appropriation of the previous Administration. Those dollars would count as a US contribution to the Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, via a one-to-one reimbursement process.
By boosting Ukraine’s security, the sale will serve U.S. foreign policy and national security interests, the State Department said, noting that Ukraine is a European partner. It also declared that the package would enhance Ukraine’s capacity to counter existing and emerging threats and would not affect the fundamental military balance in the region. The department did not state that it would need any extra U.S. personnel to implement the proposed sale in Ukraine.
The move follows Ukraine’s use of air defense systems to defend cities, military forces and other important infrastructure against the attacks of drones and missiles from Russia. The proposed procurement process is now able to proceed, the equipment and services will be subject to necessary legal and contractual procurement processes, following the latest US approval.
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