The U.S. is sending Ukraine $400 million extra in navy assist and establishing a safety help headquarters in Germany that may oversee all weapons transfers and navy coaching for Ukraine, the Pentagon introduced Friday.

Notably, the $400 million in assist consists of funding for added air defenses to assist Ukraine higher defend itself in opposition to escalating R ussian missile and drone assaults which have badly broken the nation’s energy and water infrastructure.

“We acknowledge the acute want for air protection at this essential second when Russia and Russian forces are raining missiles and Iranian drones down on the civilian infrastructure of this nation,” White Home nationwide safety adviser Jake Sullivan mentioned at a press convention in Kyiv Friday following a gathering with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Sullivan is likely one of the highest rating U.S. officers to go to Kyiv, and his journey had not been beforehand introduced for safety causes.

The $400 million in assist additionally consists of contracts for 1,100 Phoenix Ghost drones, funding to refurbish 45 tanks and a further 40 riverine boats.

The Phoenix Ghost drone is an armed “kamikaze drone” that explodes on contact with its goal.

The T-72 tanks are being pulled from present protection trade stock within the Czech Republic — paid for by The Netherlands — and may have superior optics, communications and armor packages. They’re a part of a complete package deal of 90 of the T-72 tanks that can be despatched to Ukraine via 2023, the Pentagon mentioned.

Further air protection can be offered via Hawk surface-to-air anti-aircraft missiles that can be refurbished offered to Ukraine to help in its air defenses in opposition to drones.

The missile system is not in use by the U.S. however the missiles, as soon as refurbished, will give Ukraine one other medium-range air protection possibility, Singh mentioned. Hawk missiles have an extended vary than the Stinger anti-aircraft missiles the U.S. has beforehand offered.

Nevertheless, as a result of the weapons are being procured via the Ukraine Safety Help Initiative they won’t be prepared for fast switch to Kyiv. Weapons offered via USAI funding are obtained via longer-term trade contracts as a substitute of being drawn from U.S. weapons stockpiles.

The brand new command publish, known as the Safety Help Group Ukraine, indicators a extra everlasting, long-term program to proceed to help Kyiv in its battle in opposition to Russia, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh informed reporters on the Pentagon.

The brand new command publish that may oversee this assist can be led by a three-star-level senior officer and have about 300 personnel primarily based in Germany who will monitor the weapons help and coaching packages, mentioned U.S. Military Europe spokesman Col. Martin O’Donnell.

The U.S. has dedicated greater than $18.2 billion in weapons and different tools to Ukraine because the battle started on Feb. 24.

The brand new command publish is being established because the U.S. is specializing in longer-term efforts to enhance accountability for the billions of dollars in U.S. weaponry that has flowed into Ukraine and to make sure it doesn’t fall into the flawed palms.

Final week the State Division outlined how it’s attempting to maintain a few of these extra superior weapons from being pilfered or falling into Russian palms however admitted that making certain weapons accountability is especially tough throughout an energetic battle and when there is no such thing as a main U.S. presence on the bottom.

The plan consists of restricted on-the-ground monitoring by U.S. navy personnel, Pentagon spokesman Air Power Gen. Pat Ryder mentioned this week.

“When and the place safety situations allow, a small crew comprised of U.S. Embassy Kyiv – Workplace of the Protection Attaché personnel have carried out a number of inspections of U.S. safety help deliveries inside the final couple months at places in Ukraine,” Ryder mentioned. “These places should not close to the frontlines of Russia’s battle in opposition to Ukraine.”