A new USD500 million assistance package for Ukraine contains F-16 fighter jet-related equipment that hadn't been provided for several months, according to a Pentagon press release on 9 January.
In addition to F-16 support equipment, the assistance package announced on 9 January contained air-to-ground munitions and other air-defence missiles. The package stemming from a Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) comes as a change of administration on 20 January looms over the US Department of Defense (DoD).
AIM-7 Sparrow missiles and AIM-9M missiles – which can both be carried by the F-16 – were included by name in the package. Air-to-ground munitions were also included, but the Pentagon did not specify which missiles would be provided.
RIM-7 Sea Sparrow is another missile provided as part of the package. Unrelated to the F-16, the package included armoured bridging systems, secure communications equipment, smalls-arms and ammunition, and spare parts.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin defended the effectiveness of the UDCG at a press conference after the conclusion of the meeting. “Our ability to rush urgently needed security assistance into Ukraine has been quite remarkable,” Austin said. “We've done that at a speed and volumes that have not been seen in the past.”
The eight capability coalitions led by allied nations will keep the mission of the contact group going, said Austin. He declined to say if the next administration had reached out about continuing the contact group or if he was concerned about it ending.
President-elect Donald Trump and some key members of his administration have raised concerns about the war in Ukraine and ongoing US support for the conflict.
For more information on US assistance to Ukraine, please seeUkraine conflict: Pentagon sends more than USD1.25 billion in equipment assistance .
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