United States Announces New Military Assistance To Ukraine: There's HIMARS, 58- Phoenix Ghost Unmanned Aircraft And 36K Ammunition Cannon

Illustration of HIMARS (Source: Defense.gov/Marine Corps/Cpl. Patrick King)

JAKARTA - US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Ukrainian Defense Secretary Alexey Reznikov discussed military assistance to Ukraine in a recent telephone conversation, including additional supplies of HIMARS dual rocket launchers, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.

“Minister of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov today, to discuss the results of the recent Ukrainian Defense Contact Group meeting and ongoing security assistance to Ukraine, to incorporate recent US commitments on the Rocket System. Additional High Mobility Artillery (HIMARS)," Acting Pentagon Press Secretary Todd Breasseale said in a statement, citing TASS July 27.

On the occasion, Minister Austin assured Minister Reznikov that the United States was moving as quickly as possible to deliver equipment to Ukraine, the statement said.

Earlier, the head of Ukraine's presidential office Andrey Yermak said on July 24, members of the United States Congress pledged to provide up to 30 HIMARS systems and munitions.

It is known, citing the Defense.gov website, that the Pentagon announced a new security assistance package, including four additional HIMARS systems, which will provide Ukraine with a total of 16 systems; four command post vehicles; additional anti-armor weapons, spare parts, and other equipment; and 36.000 rounds of 105 mm ammunition.

Delivery of ammunition to Ukraine. (Source: Defense.gov/Air Force Senior Airman Faith Schaefer)

"This is the ammunition that will actually support the donations made by the UK to the Howitzers, and this is something we do quite often where we match countries that may have one piece of capability with another donor country to make a complete capability to Ukraine," said the senior defense official.

"This is something EUCOM has facilitated through their cell in Stuttgart, Germany," he continued. Ukraine Security Assistance, or USAI funding, said a senior defense official during a briefing at the Pentagon.

As part of the USD 95 million USAI expenditure, the Department of Defense has also committed to sending an additional 580 Phoenix Ghost tactical drone systems to Ukraine. Under USAI, these systems will be purchased from manufacturers so they can be delivered to the Ukrainian military.

"Ukraine has made very good use of the Phoenix Ghost system. And with the Phoenix Ghost system, what we can do is ensure steady delivery of this capability from August to ensure that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have a continuous supply of this capability," the senior official said.