The United States announced this Wednesday the approval of the sale of a NASAMS air defense system and related equipment Ukraine for $285 million, as kyiv seeks to increase protection against Russian attacks.
“Ukraine is in urgent need of increase its capabilities to defend against attacks by missiles and Russian aircraftsaid the American Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) in a statement. “Effectively acquiring and deploying this capability will enhance Ukraine’s ability to defend its people and protect critical national infrastructure.”
The government agency also said the sale will support the national security objectives of US foreign policy by “enhance the security of a partner country that it is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe”.
The sale would not require the assignment of any additional US government employees or contractors to Ukraine, the statement added.
The State Department approved the sale, and on Wednesday DSCA provided the required notice to Congress, which has yet to approve the transaction.
Countries supporting Ukraine in its battle against invading Russian forces, including the United States, have donated tens of billions of dollars worth of military equipment to kyiv, but this transfer would be a sale.
Ukraine’s air defenses have played a key role in protecting the country from attack and preventing Moscow’s forces from gaining control of the skies. When Russia invaded in February 2022, Ukraine’s air defenses largely consisted of Soviet-era aircraft and artillery. They have since been significantly augmented by kyiv’s international allies, who have donated a number of systems, including NASAMS.
EU artillery
On the other hand, the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, reported on Tuesday that European Union (EU) countries have already supplied Ukrainian forces with more than 200,000 artillery shells and some 1,300 missiles.
The EU recently agreed a plan for 2 billion euros of its common funds to hand over to Ukraine’s armed forces about a million shells over the next 12 months.
The intention of the bloc of countries is to provide the Ukrainian troops with ammunition to carry out the promised counteroffensive to push back the Russian military.
(With information from AFP)
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Source-www.infobae.com