The US is preparing a new military aid package for Ukraine that amounts to $2.2 billion which for the first time will include longer-range rockets as well as other ammunition and weapons, Reuters reports, citing two US officials.
According to their sources, the deliveries would include the Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) which has a range of 150 km. The development of the weapon was conducted by companies Boeing and Saab Group. This weapon is launched from such missile systems as M270 and HIMARS.
Since the start of the war, the US has allocated at least $26.7 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, among other things providing the country with 20 HIMARS systems and corresponding ammunition. Currently, Ukraine is receiving the 80-km range GMLRS rockets with a satellite guidance system for the use of HIMARS.
However, a HIMARS system has the capacity to launch the 297-km range ATACMS missiles. The US refused to supply Ukraine with them in the past. According to unofficial reports, the White House’s explanation is that Kyiv could use these missiles to attack the territory of Russia which would lead to escalation of the conflict.
According to Reuters, the new aid package will be announced this week.
At the end of January, Advisor of the Office of the President of Ukraine Mykhailo Podolyak stated that Ukrainian authorities were negotiating deliveries of longer-range missiles that would allow for attacking facilities in Crimea, primarily artillery depots and aviation.
