Pentagon rolls out new $1B military aid package for Ukraine after Biden signs funding into law

WASHINGTON

The Pentagon announced a new arms package Wednesday for Ukraine, minutes after US President Joe Biden signed billions of dollars in new funding into law.

The first tranche of assistance is valued at up to $1 billion, and includes RIM-7 and AIM-9M air defense missiles, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, small arms and additional ammunition for them, including .50 caliber rounds to counter drones, according to a statement.

Additional ammunition for already-supplied artillery systems, including High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, and 155mm, 105mm and 60mm artillery rounds are also included, as are more Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs) and High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (Humvees).

Additional TOW, Javelin and AT-4 anti-tank missiles, as well as precision aerial munitions, anti-armor mines and claymore mines are also included.

The new package represents a sliver of the more than $60 billion in new funding approved for Ukraine by Congress.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the new aid sends "a powerful message today about the power of American leadership as we support Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression."

"The United States will continue to work with the coalition of more than 50 countries we have assembled to provide critical support for Ukraine’s forces," he said in a statement.​​​​​​​

Earlier Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked lawmakers for approving another package of financial aid for his nation. In a statement on Telegram, Zelenskyy said the vote on Ukraine's financial bill reinforced America's role as a “beacon of democracy and leader of the free world."

"Ukraine's long-range capabilities, artillery and air defense are extremely important tools for the speedy restoration of a just peace," he said.