The relief shipment, which might arrive as soon as this Friday, is the first since recent Russian rocket strikes on Ukrainian cities with human populations.
Under the condition of anonymity, the officials stated that the timing, nature, and cost of the weapons package might all alter right up to its release.
According to one of the officials, the aid package was intended to strengthen Ukraine’s capacity to resist Russia’s counteroffensive, which has resulted in significant territorial gains in recent weeks, even though it was not anticipated to include materials to thwart missile attacks like those witnessed over the past week.
Separately, Ukraine anticipates receiving powerful anti-aircraft equipment from the United States and Germany this month to aid it in fending off strikes from Russian missiles and kamikaze drones, Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said on Friday.
By utilising the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), the weapons and vehicles can be transported to Ukraine in the coming days.
The Presidential Drawdown Authority enables the United States to immediately move defence goods and services from inventories in response to an emergency without seeking legislative permission.
President Joe Biden is permitted to access up to $3.7 billion in excess weaponry for transfer to Ukraine through mid-December under this, the second PDA package of the US government’s 2023 fiscal year, which is now operating under a stop-gap financing arrangement.
In general, Washington utilises money from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) to finance weaponry for Ukraine, including the advanced anti-aircraft NASAMS systems anticipated this month, rather than taking them from existing US military supplies.
Raytheon Technologies and Kongsber of Norway produce NASAMS.
Regarding the package, the White House chose not to comment.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, the US has provided security support totaling more than $17.5 billion.
