The Pentagon building in Virginia, US. Photo: stock
THE US has given itself almost 70 days to deliver US$5.5 billion worth of military supplies to Ukraine before the American change of government.
In September, US President Joe Biden said he planned a “surge” in security help for Ukraine, including giving them all remaining approved funding which takes in $5.5 billion in presidential drawdown authority, before January’s handover.
In a press briefing at the US Pentagon last Thursday (US time), deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh acknowledged the size of the task.
“Executing that presidential drawdown authority, which means moving some $5.5 billion in gear from US military inventory to Ukraine before January 20 (the handover of administration), is a tall order,” she said.
“It is a short time … just under 70 days,” Singh told journalists.
“This department can do incredible work in that amount of time. The president made clear that … he wants to spend down the authority that Congress has allocated and authorised before he leaves office.
“We’re going to work very hard to make sure that happens.”
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the US has given about $60.4 billion in security assistance, the Pentagon says. This included November 1 when $425m of military supplies was given to the Ukraine.
“I expect that for the next coming months of this administration, you’re going to continue to see those packages draw down from … what’s available in our stockpiles,” Singh said.
“Again, we’re committed to ensuring that Ukraine has what it needs to be successful on the battlefield.”
Singh also said that the department has been aware, since the first transfer of military hardware to Ukraine, of what is being sent and of what the department needs for itself.
That’s something that’s not going to change, she said.
“We’re constantly refilling our shelves and our stockpiles,” Singh said.
“The secretary (of defence) is not going to allow the department to dip below readiness levels that he doesn’t feel comfortable with.
“As we continue to refill our own shelves, you’re going to see equipment, capabilities continue to flow out.”
On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump is due to be sworn in as the new US President to complete the transfer of power from the Biden administration.
