What does the $800 million US aid package for Ukraine have?

“The new aid package includes 800 air defense systems, to ensure that the Ukrainian military can continue to intercept Russian planes and helicopters, as well as protect their airspace. At the same time at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskywe have confirmed and are helping Kiev acquire additional long-range anti-aircraft missile systems, as well as ammunition for these systems,” Biden’s statement posted on the White House website stated.

Ukrainian soldiers train with American Javelin anti-tank missiles. Photo: AP

“This support package also includes 9,000 anti-tank weapon systems, including 2,000 Javelin missiles, 6,000 AT-4 shoulder grenade launchers and 1,000 other weapons. These high-precision shoulder-fired weapons have been effectively used by the Ukrainian military against enemy mechanized devices. About 7,000 light weapons including machine guns; shotgun; grenade launchers and 20 million rounds of ammunition, will be supplied to Ukraine,” Biden added.

AT-4 shoulder grenade launcher. Photo: Army Recognition

According to Biden, the US will deliver to Ukraine 100 Switchblade unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with sensor cameras, navigation systems and explosives. This type of UAV can be controlled to fly around the battlefield, before swooping down to destroy enemy targets on the ground.

However, the White House boss did not specify which version of Switchblade will be supplied to Ukraine by the US. Because the Switchblade 300 version currently in service with the US military is used to destroy enemy soldiers, while the larger Switchblade 600 version is used to destroy targets such as tank-armor.

Switchblade UAV. Photo: Aerovironment/ Army Recognition

Russia’s RT news agency said that the Switchblade is much cheaper than the anti-tank missiles that the US recently donated to Ukraine. For example, the unit price for each launcher and Javelin anti-tank missile is up to 178,000 USD, while the cost of Switchblade UAV is very cheap, only 6,000 USD/unit.

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Tuan Tran