President Biden Announces New Military Aid Packages Worth IDR 3.6 Trillion, Including Patriot System

JAKARTA - United States President Joe Biden announced new military aid for Ukraine worth US$225 million (IDR 3,624,075,000,000), while receiving President Volodymyr Zelensky Thursday.

Included in the package in military aid this time include Patriot missile batteries, ammunition for the National Sophisticated Surface-to-Udara Missile System (NASAMS); Stinger anti-aircraft missiles; ammunition for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) as well as 155 millimeters and 105 millimeter artillery shells, quoted from VOA July 12.

"We appreciate US President Joseph Biden's decision to strengthen our air defenses," President Zelensky tweeted his X social media.

"Thank you to President Biden, team, government, congress, both parties, both assembly and all Americans for the important support for the Ukrainian people. Together we save the lives of our people," he continued.

The Patriot air defense system, the second that the US gave Ukraine, was one of several announced by President Biden this week at the NATO summit and is part of a wave of promises to give Ukraine weapons to help it fend off Russian attacks, including one attack this week that hit a child hospital in Kyiv, quoted from AP.

Late last month, President Zelensky requested additional US-made Patriot systems, arguing it would help its forces fight nearly 3,000 bombs that Russia says launch to the country every month.