US planning to provide Kyiv precision-guided Excalibur munitions as war enters day 179

In a bid to help Ukraine combat Russian aggression, United States announced on Friday, August 19 that it will deploy a variety of new weaponry to war-torn, including new drones, armoured vehicles, and artillery as a part of $775 million deal. According to a news release from Department of Defence (DoD), “This authorization is Biden ministration’s nineteenth drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.” Furr, before DoD statement on Friday, a source with knowledge of discussions told POLITICO that US also intended to provide Excalibur precision-guided artillery munitions in a subsequent shipment. Notably, se weapons were not part of tranche.  

According to POLITICO report, ammunition would provide Ukrainians with a new, precise weapon to take aim at fortified Russian positions and command centres. In dition to this, a source familiar with discussions around most recent military aid package said that Ukraine will get M982 Excalibur munitions with a range of up to 70 kilometres "at some point in future." 

Besides this, on Friday, US revealed for first time that it will provide Kyiv with Scan Eagle surveillance drones, mine-resistant vehicles, anti-armour ammunition, and howitzer artillery to assist Ukrainian forces in regaining lost ground and mounting a counterattack against Russian invers.  

US's military aid to Ukraine

As per a senior defence official, fresh $775 million aid package would include 15 Scan Eagles, 40 MRAPs with mine-clearing rollers, and 2,000 anti-armour rounds to support Ukrainian troops as y vance in south and east, where Russian forces have planted mines, Associated Press reported. official also said that as battle continues on, US wants to assist in forming and equipping Ukrainian military of future. 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated in a statement that "se capabilities are carefully calibrated to make most difference on battlefield and strengn Ukraine's position at negotiating table". Since start of Biden ministration, US has provided Ukraine with around USD 10.6 billion in military assistance, Associated Press reported. 

Despite having previously sent howitzer munitions, US is now sending 16 of weapon systems. 1,500 anti-tank missiles, 1,000 javelin missiles, and an unspecified number of high-speed, anti-riation or HARM missiles that aim at rar systems are also included in aid package. 

In an effort to fend off Russian forces and retake ground that Moscow has taken, Ukrainian forces have h some success deploying various precision artillery weapons. On August 8, US declared that it is prepared to offer Ukraine financial and military assistance totaling $5.5 billion. next tranche comprises $4.5 billion in direct assistance from US Agency for International Development to Ukrainian government (USAID). ditionally, $1 billion in military aid from Presidential Drawdown Authority to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. 

(Image: AP)