The US authorities are preparing a new $2.2 billion military aid package for Ukraine, which for the first time will include long-range missiles, as well as other ammunition and weapons. This was reported by Reuters, citing two officials from the administration of President Joe Biden.
Later, Reuters clarified that we are talking about the supply of GLSDB (Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb) missiles with a range of 150 kilometers. Currently, missiles with a range of 70 kilometers are being delivered to Ukraine.
The announcement of a new security assistance package could be made as early as this week. The package is also expected to include support equipment for Patriot air defense systems, precision-guided munitions and Javelin anti-tank missiles, the sources added.
GLSDB is produced by Boeing Corporation in cooperation with SAAB. The system consists of a GBU-39 small diameter bomb (SDB) with an M26 rocket engine. The description of the system says that the GLSDB is controlled by GPS, is capable of eliminating some electronic interference, can be used in all weather conditions and against armored vehicles.
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The Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly asked the United States for long-range weapons. The Politico newspaper wrote that the supply of ATACMS missiles was discussed during the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Washington on December 21. However, according to the publication, in the United States, these weapons are considered too “escalatory”.
Later, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba said that the United States would transfer ATACMS missiles with a range of up to 300 km to Ukraine in 2023. According to him, the supply of weapons will depend on the situation in the war zone.
Mikhail Podolyak, an adviser to the office of the President of Ukraine, also said that Kyiv was negotiating the supply of missiles “to destroy the rear infrastructure and artillery depots of the Russian armed forces in the annexed Crimea.”
