U.S. unveils $988 million aid package for Ukraine including rockets and drones

U.S. unveils 8 million aid package for Ukraine including rockets and drones


U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin testifies before a U.S. House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing on President Biden’s proposed budget request for the Department of Defense, on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 23, 2023.

Michael A. McCoy | Reuters

The United States unveiled a $988 million aid package of new arms and equipment to Ukraine for its ongoing fight against Russia’s invasion on Saturday.

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 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.

Announcement of the package came on Saturday as the defense industry and policy makers meet at the annual Reagan National Defense Forum in California.

The Biden administration has often used Presidential Drawdown Authority, which authorizes President Joe Biden to transfer excess articles and services from U.S. stocks without congressional approval during an emergency.

The USAI funds are separate and will go to purchase new weapons from industry.

The Biden administration still has about $6 billion of congressionally granted presidential drawdown authority, including funds authorized in 2024 and funds discovered by the Pentagon after overestimating the value of arms shipped to Ukraine.

Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, the U.S. has committed more than $62 billion worth of security assistance to Ukraine.



Source

Right-wing Sanae Takaichi is set to be Japan’s first female prime minister
World

Right-wing Sanae Takaichi is set to be Japan’s first female prime minister

Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected leader of Japan’s ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), attends a press conference after the LDP presidential election in Tokyo on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Yuichi Yamazaki | Pool Photo via AP Japan’s ruling party picked hardline conservative Sanae Takaichi as its head on Saturday, putting her on course […]

Read More
Trump asks Israel to stop bombing Gaza, saying Hamas is ready for peace
World

Trump asks Israel to stop bombing Gaza, saying Hamas is ready for peace

Smoke rises during an Israeli military operation in Gaza City, as seen from the central Gaza Strip September 29, 2025. Mahmoud Issa | Reuters President Donald Trump told Israel on Friday to immediately stop bombing Gaza after Hamas agreed to release hostages and some other terms in a U.S. plan to end the war, but […]

Read More
Trump’s 0,000 fee for H-1B worker visas challenged in lawsuit
World

Trump’s $100,000 fee for H-1B worker visas challenged in lawsuit

President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House on September 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. Andrew Harnik | Getty Images A coalition of unions, employers and religious groups filed a lawsuit on Friday seeking to block President Donald Trump’s bid to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B […]

Read More