US Announces New Military Aid Worth IDR 37 Trillion For Ukraine: This Time There Are 90 Strykers

JAKARTA - The United States on Thursday announced a massive new arms and ammunition package for Ukraine, worth US$2.5 billion, or approximately IDR37,909,874,984,836, in line with Allied plans to upgrade the capabilities of Kyiv's armored forces.

The package did not feature the western battle tanks requested by Kyiv, but included 90 Stryker armored personnel carriers, another 59 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, the Avenger air defense system, and large and small ammunition, the Pentagon said.

"The 59 Bradley IFVs included in this package, along with the 50 Bradleys previously commissioned on January 6 and the 90 Stryker APC will provide Ukraine with two brigades of armored capabilities," the Pentagon said.

An initial 50 Bradley vehicles were included in the more than $3 billion package announced last week.

The latest US package – announced a day before a major aid meeting in Germany – brings Washington's total military aid to Ukraine since Russia's invasion of February to more than $26.7 billion.

It is known that the United States and other countries have made several large donations of armored vehicles to Ukraine.

Britain promised last weekend it would send Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine. While Germany said last week it would provide the Marder armored vehicles, France has pledged to supply the AMX-10 RC light tank.

Separately, the United States said it was "reluctant" to provide the Abrams tanks to Ukraine because of difficulties with maintenance and training.

Meanwhile, despite Germany's caution about stockpiling heavy weapons, Chancellor Olaf Scholz faces increasing pressure in Europe to authorize exports of German-made Leopard tanks.

The Stryker is the first armored vehicle introduced into the United States Army service since 1980. This versatile vehicle has a top speed of 62 mph and the ability to carry nine troops plus a crew.

Quoting the US Army SBCT Project Management Office website, apart from transporting troops, the Stryker can also be used for reconnaissance vehicles, command vehicles, mobile gun systems with 105mm cannons, fire support vehicles, anti-tank missile launchers, mortar launchers, chemical biological nuclear warfare and medical evacuation vehicle.