U.S. pronounces $138 million in emergency army gross sales of Hawk missile methods assist for Ukraine
WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Division has greenlighted an emergency $138 million in overseas army gross sales for Ukraine to supply crucial repairs and spare elements for Kyiv’s Hawk missile methods.
The U.S. introduced the transfer Tuesday saying that Ukraine has an pressing want for the upkeep assist to maintain the missile system operating.
The announcement follows an analogous, small-sized spherical of $300 million in munitions support the Pentagon introduced final month after it was in a position to convert contract financial savings to have the ability to offset the price of offering the help. Each the State and Protection Departments have been looking for ways to proceed to get Ukraine assist whereas a $60 billion Ukraine assist bundle stays stalled in Congress.
The HAWK is a medium vary surface-to-air missile system that gives air protection, which is one in every of Ukraine’s prime safety wants.
“Ukraine has an pressing want to extend its capabilities to defend in opposition to Russian missile strikes and the aerial capabilities of Russian forces,” the State Division mentioned in a memo outlining the sale. “Sustaining and sustaining the HAWK Weapon System will improve Ukraine’s capability to defend its folks and defend crucial nationwide infrastructure.”
Throughout a Capitol Hill listening to Tuesday, Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin mentioned with out the assist — the U.S. dangers that Ukraine will fall to Russia.
“Ukraine issues, and the end result of the battle in Ukraine could have international implications for our nationwide safety as properly,” Austin mentioned.
If Kyiv falls, it may imperil Ukraine’s Baltic NATO member neighbors and probably drag U.S. troops into a protracted European battle.
The work on the Hawk methods shall be carried out by contractors from Massachusetts-based RTX Company, previously often called Raytheon and Huntsville, Alabama-based PROJECTXYZ. The State Division mentioned the elements wanted to restore the methods will come from U.S. Military inventory, third-country donations, industrial off-the-shelf parts and new manufacturing.
