The Pentagon is poised to provide much-needed weapons to Ukraine in a matter of days once a long-awaited aid bill is passed by Congress. With storage sites holding essential ammunition and air defense components, the military is ready to act swiftly.
CIA Director Bill Burns issued a stark warning, stating that without additional aid, Ukraine could lose the war to Russia by the year’s end. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the House recently approved $61 billion in funding for Ukraine. Speaker Mike Johnson pushed for a vote on a larger foreign aid bill despite threats from within his own party.
President Biden has pledged to sign the bill immediately should it pass the Senate. The Pentagon has had supplies at the ready for months but has been unable to move them due to funding constraints. Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, more than $44 billion worth of weapons, maintenance, training, and spare parts have been sent to Ukraine.
The proposed legislation includes over $20 billion to replenish Pentagon supplies and ensure the military has the resources necessary to combat aggression and defend the nation’s interests. The delay in weapons delivery has led Ukrainian troops to ration their munitions supply, highlighting the critical need for swift action.
Weapons for Ukraine are typically provided through presidential drawdown authority or security assistance funding for longer-term contracts with the defense industry. The U.S. maintains storage facilities for weapons in both the U.S. and Europe, enabling rapid delivery of munitions to the front lines.
The McAlester Army Ammunition Plant in Oklahoma serves as a major storage site for 155 mm howitzer rounds crucial to Ukraine’s defense. Additionally, storage sites in Europe, including those in Germany and Poland, facilitate the quick delivery of weaponry and support Ukraine in training and maintaining the systems essential for their defense efforts.
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