US preparing nearly USD 1B aid package to Ukraine – Reuters

According to Ukrinform, Reuters reports that citing an official document.

“The package nearly halves the available $2.21 billion remaining in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative as the Biden administration works to commit to buying weapons from industry, rather than pulling from U.S. weapons stocks,” the report reads.

The weapons included in the new package will be produced by U.S. companies, rather than being supplied directly from the Pentagon stockpiles.

The USAI funds will be put toward buying ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) made by Lockheed Martin, as well as drones and spare parts to maintain artillery equipment, according to the Pentagon.

The U.S. administration is expected to officially announce the aid package when representatives from the defense industry and political leaders meet at the annual Reagan National Defense Forum in California.

As reported by Ukrinform, according to the Pentagon, the U.S. government has USD 2.21 billion available under the USAI and USD 6.8 billion under presidential drawdown authority.